Louis Joblot – the other father of microscopy
Oct 14th, 2013 by bachmann
Louis Joblot (1645-1723) is often neglected in the history of microscopy. A contemporary of Leeuwenhoek, who is recognized as the first to observe and record microbes, Joblot, in his own right, was an equally innovative inventor and theorist. A professor of mathematics at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Joblot explored and lectured on perspective, optics, and geometry, leading to his personal pursuit of microscopy during the period of 1680-1716. His landmark work from 1718 presented his own developments and modifications of the microscope, observations of protozoa, and his opposition to the theory of spontaneous generation. Joblot’s new microscope permitted precise focusing by eliminating stray light and enabling the mounting of a diverse array of specimens. The microbes became clearer and more visible. He would refer to the microbes he observed in terms such as “fishes” or “caterpillars”, or even provide mirthful names such as “slipper”, “gobbler”, or “bagpipes”.“
Public reaction to these microbes:
“In Paris, towards the end of the month of
June of the same year, and all the rest of the
summer, it was difficult to find vinegar in
which there were no eels. Thus many people
who had seen them with our Microscopes
stopped eating salad. I told them that the eels
were about a hundred thousand times smaller
than they appeared with these instruments;
that the heat of the stomach killed them in an
instant…”—(translated from the French)
Joblot’s florid description of the creatures visible under the microscope:
“…in an instant a dozen fishes differing
from each other and so strange to see and
observe that I do not think that the entertainment
of Comedy, of the Opera with all its magnificence,
of rope dancers, acrobats or the animal
fights that we can see in this superb City,
could be preferred to it.” —(translated from the French)
- Description:
- Joblot, Louis. Observations d’histoire naturelle, faites avec le microscope :sur un grand nombre d’insectes, & sur les animalcules qui se trouvent dans les liqueurs préparées, & dans celles qui ne le sont pas, &c. avec la description & les usages des différens microscopes, &c. Paris : Briasson, 1754-1755.
- Persistent Link:
- http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL:10937244
- Repository:
- Widener Library
- Institution:
- Harvard University