Microbe Hunters by Paul de Kruif:
A Summarization of the First 8 Chapters
The book, Microbe Hunters, depicts the pioneers of microbiology. It's first 8 chapters range from the 17th century to the end of the 19th century. During that time period, the science of microbiology progressed from the first microscope to the cures for several devastating diseases.
The book's first chapter describes the life and work of Antony Leeuwenhoek. Born in Delft, Holland around 1632, the man lived during a period of relative ignorance. Despite this adversity though, Leeuwenhoek created a new branch of science.
Leeuwenhoek's parents were brewers and ranked high in Dutch society. When his father died, his mother sent Leeuwenhoek to school to become a government official. At the age of 16, however, the young man left school and became an apprentice in a dry-goods store in Amsterdam. After 6 years, he returned to Delft, married, and set up his own dry-goods store.
While living in Delft, Leeuwenhoek took an interest in lens grinding. Although his neighbors may have viewed him as slightly "cracked," the man's tireless efforts produced tiny lenses less than one-eighth of an inch across. Because of the lenses' perfect symmetry, they created high magnification. Eventually, Leeuwenhoek's skills led to the invention of the microscope.
At first, Leeuwenhoek used his invention to investigate his surroundings. When Delft's leading scientist, Regnier de Graff noticed Leeuwenhoek's activities he informed the Royal Society of England. Impressed, the Royal Society then wrote to Leeuwenhoek. He answered them in a long rambling letter. Initially, the Royal Society was astounded by his observations. However, when--at a later date--Leeuwenhoek told them that he had observed little animals through his microscope, the Society became skeptical. They commissioned Robert Hooke to build his own microscope. On November 15, 1677, Hooke co...