Van Leeuwenhoek

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch scientist in the 17th century who pioneered microscopy. He crafted powerful lenses and was the first to observe microorganisms, such as bacteria and protozoa, which he called "animalcules." His detailed observations, made with simple yet effective microscopes, laid the foundation for microbiology. By revealing a hidden world of tiny living organisms, van Leeuwenhoek greatly expanded our understanding of biology and the diversity of life, influencing scientific thought and medicine profoundly.