Question

Who invented the microscope?

Answer 1

Back in time, there was confusion regarding the invention of the telescope. Who invented it?
Two spectacle makers Zacharias Jansen and Hans Lippershey in Middleburg claimed to have
invented the telescope. But as the time passed, it was adopted by Pierre Borel in Borel’s book on the subject. The actual maker of the telescope also invented the microscope.

Complete answer:
Zacharias Jansen was a spectacle maker in Middleburg. He once lived next to Hans Lippershey, also a spectacle maker. Hans claimed that he invented the telescope. There is no solid evidence as to the inventor of the telescope which led to a series of confusion. To solve this dispute, an investigation was held by a Dutch diplomat Willem Boreel. He had a local magistrate in Middleburg. In the investigation of the magistrate, he was contacted by Johannes Jansen, son of Zacharias Jansen. He stated an oath and declared that his father invented the telescope as well as the microscope and also stated that Hans Lippershey stole the idea of a telescope from his father. Boreel then came to a conclusion after seeing the modified version of Zacharias’s collection by Johannes as evidence that Zacharias must have invented the telescope and the microscope. This story is mentioned and the conclusion of Boreel is adopted in the book of Pierre Borel, a French scholar. While the case ran, Johannes shared that Zacharias also invented the compound microscope. There were many investigations held, some were in favour of Zacharias and some were not. There is actually no exact evidence in order to prove that Zacharias was the one. All things are concluded on the basis of evidence provided by his son Johannes, but it is not for sure. Still we say that the microscope was invented by Zacharias.

Hence, the person who invented the microscope is known to be Zacharias Jansen.

Note: Here, the thing to be noticed is actually no one is sure about the fact that Zacharias must have invented the telescope. Some say that Johannes might have acted the whole scene just for fame. But since he represented the modified versions of his father’s collection and other evidence also came out, it was concluded that Zacharias Jansen is the actual inventor. Also remember that there was dispute regarding who invented the telescope, whether it was Zacharias or Hans Lippershey.