Who is credited with making the first compound microscope using two convex lenses?

The development of the first compound microscope, which utilizes two convex lenses to magnify objects, is attributed to Hans Janssen and his son Zacharias Janssen, who were Dutch spectacle makers in the late 16th century. This invention laid the groundwork for advances in microscopy, as it allowed for significantly higher magnification than previously available single-lens magnifiers.

The compound microscope represented a major milestone in biological and scientific observation, enabling scientists of the time to study microscopic organisms and structures more effectively. The use of two lenses means that it can produce a clearer and larger image than a simple magnifying glass with only one lens, making it a crucial tool in the field of biology.

While figures like Galileo, Hooke, and Leeuwenhoek contributed to the field of microscopy and made important discoveries and improvements in the use of lenses, the initial creation of the compound microscope is specifically linked to Hans Janssen and his son. This distinction highlights the Janssens' role in the early development of tools that would revolutionize biological observation.