Robert Hooke and his Discoveries

Who? Robert Hooke was born on July 18, 1635 in Isle of Wight, England. During his adult life he was simultaneously a Geometry Professor, a surveyor for the City of London, an architect, and a member of England’s Royal Society (group of Elite scientists in England). He was/is considered a polymath. A polymath is someone who is an expert in many different subject areas.

What? Robert Hooke is credited with inventing the compound microscope and was the first person to use the word “cell,” in describing the tiny spaces that make up living tissue. Hooke’s microscope was constructed of wood and gold parts.

When? In 1665, Robert Hooke published his famous book, Micrographia, a collection of his microscopic and telescopic observations. In the book, Hooke used his wood and gold microscope to make observations and coined the term “cell.” Also, the book contains several impressive drawings by Hooke. Hooke died on March 3, 1703 at the age of 67. Hooke’s Drawing of a flea from Micrographia.

Where? Robert Hooke was born is Isle of Wight, England and lived in London later in life.