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Micrographia

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	Topics Micrographia Topic Home *Micrographia* is a historical book by Robert HookeRobert Hooke Overview Robert Hooke, FRS was an English polymath who played an important role in the scientific revolution, through both experimen... , detailing the then twenty-eight year-old Hooke's observations through various lensesLens (optics) A lens is a device that causes light to either converge and concentrate or to diverge, usually formed from a piece of shaped... . Published September, 1664, it was an immediate best-seller. Observations Hooke most famously describes a flyFly This article is about the insect. For other meanings, see Fly ... 's eye and a plant cellCell (biology) The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living organisms, and is sometimes called the "building block of life.... (where he coined that term because plant cells, which are walled, reminded him of a monk's quarters). Known for its spectacular copperplate engravings of the miniature world, particularly its fold-out plates of insectInsect Summary Insects are invertebrates that are taxonomically referred to as the class Insecta.... s, the text itself reinforces the tremendous power of the new microscopeMicroscope Overview A microscope is an instrument for viewing objects that are too small to be seen by the naked or unaided eye.... . The plates of insects fold out to be larger than the large folioBook size The size of a specific book is measured from the head to tail of the spine, and from edge to edge across the covers.... itself, the engraving of the louseFacts About Louse Lice , also known as fly babies, are an order of over 3,000 species of wingless parasitic insects.... in particular folding out to four times the size of the book. Although the book is most known for foregrounding the power of the microscope, Micrographia also describes distant planetary bodiesPlanet The International Astronomical Union , the official scientific body for astronomical nomenclature, currently defines "plane... , the wave theory of light, the organic origin of fossilFossil Fossils are the mineralized or otherwise preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other organisms.... s, and various other philosophical and scientific interests of its author. Publication Published under the aegis of The Royal SocietyRoyal Society The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, was founded i... , the popularity of the book helped further the society's image and mission of being "the" scientifically progressive organization of LondonLondon London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom.... . Micrographia also focused attention on the miniature world, capturing the public's imagination in a radically new way. This impact is illustrated by Samuel PepysSamuel Pepys Overview Samuel Pepys, FRS was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament, famous chiefly for his comprehensive diary.... ' reaction upon completing the tome: "the most ingenious book that I ever read in my life." Image:HookeFlea01.jpg\|HookeRobert Hooke Robert Hooke, FRS was an English polymath who played an important role in the scientific revolution, through both experimen... 's drawing of a fleaFlea Flea is the common name for any of the small wingless insects of the order Siphonaptera.... Image:Hooke-microscope.png\|HookeRobert Hooke Robert Hooke, FRS was an English polymath who played an important role in the scientific revolution, through both experimen... 's microscope. Image:RobertHookeMicrographia1665.jpg\|Hooke was the first to apply the word "cellCell (biology) The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living organisms, and is sometimes called the "building block of life.... " to biological objects: CorkCork (material) Cork material is a subset of generic cork tissue, harvested for commercial use primarily from the Cork Oak tree, Quercus s... . Bibliography Robert Hooke. "Micrographia: or, Some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses". London: J. Martyn and J. Allestry, 1665. (first edition). External links