Oct. 9, 2026

Ep.25 - Microscope

Ep.25 - Microscope

This week, we’re exploring early microscopes, 1600s Dutch experimenter Antonie van Leeuwenhoek and red blood cells.

This week, we’re exploring early microscopes, 1600s Dutch experimenter Antonie van Leeuwenhoek and red blood cells. Van Leeuwenhoek was an innovator, a microbiologist, and a curious man. Curious enough to make tiny lenses so he could examine leaves, metal and milk, as well as mites, lice and fleas. We uncover his eyeballing of eyeballs as well as his up close examination of exploding gunpowder, faeces and even the crust which developed between his toes after leaving his socks on for 10 days.


The Team:

Dr Charlotte Holmes - Editor/Producer

Rachel Forrest - Researcher/Presenter

Dr Daisy Cunynghame - Researcher/Presenter

Dr Sarah Hayward - Editor/Producer

Elizabeth Van Trampe - Editor/Producer


Website

RCPE Gallery & Library Website


Social media

RCPE Gallery & Library Bluesky

RCPE Gallery & Library Facebook

RCPE Gallery & Library Instagram

RCPE Gallery & Library TikTok

RCPE Gallery & Library X/Twitter

RCPE Gallery & Library YouTube


Newsletter

RCPE Gallery & Library Newsletter


Donate

RCPE Gallery & Library JustGiving