Brian J Ford research summary:
History of the Microscope

Leeuwenhoek's view of a Polymorphonuclear Leucocyte

Here we see a selective enlargement of a fresh blood film, viewed through the Leeuwenhoek microscope preserved at the University Museum in Utrecht, Netherlands. This is a selective enlargement from the historic studies made by Brian J Ford in 1981. Note (top) the lobed nucleus of a polymorphonuclear granulocyte, an astonishing achievement for such a diminutive instrument.

Go to:

• Extract from a recent lecture

• The clear images single lenses create*

• Introduction to the Leeuwenhoek specimens

• What the van Leeuwenhoek microscope reveals*

• How the van Leeuwenhoek specimens were handled*

• How the Leeuwenhoek microscope revealed blood cells*

• Scanning electron microscope of the Leeuwenhoek material*

*These pages are all illustrated with four colour images - file size approx 12kb each.