Through the Looking Glass: History of Microscopes (Exhibition)

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Exist Dates

1981 September 23 - 1981 December 30

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract
Exhibition. Opened September 23, 1981 and December 30, 1981. Located on Floor 2 in the Akeley Gallery at the American Museum of Natural History. Through the Looking Glass: History of Microscopes explored the evolution of microscopes and their impact and was organized by the Museum and the New York Microscopical Society.

Summary

Through the Looking Glass: History of Microscopes explored the evolution of microscopes and their impact and was organized by the Museum the New York Microscopical Society, and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (1, p. 1; 4, p.2). Roger Lyman Batten of the Department of Invertebrates served as scientific advisor and consultant, with assistance from Norman Platnick of the Department of Entomology and John J. Lee of the Department of Invertebrates (2, p. 11; 3, p. 11).

Highlights (1, p. 1-2):

*Examples of instruments from early Leeuwenhoek bead of glass (circa 1673)

*Modern optical microscopes, including field, polarizing, inverted, axiomat, and microtime

*Black and white and color photographs illustrating range of magnification and different uses of microscopes

*Section on the flea, comparing Robert Hooke's illustration in Micrographia (1665) and a scanning electron micrograph enlargement

*Section featuring the louse

*Video of Museum research project using its scanning electron microscope (SEM)

*Photographs illustrating use of the SEM, including views of a butterfly's wing, table salt, and red blood cells

* Research of the Departments of Invertebrates, Mammalogy, and Entomology

This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.

Sources

    (1) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "Special Museum Exhibition Examines the History of Microscopes." August 3, 1981. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Library.
    (2) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Reports, Departmental. "[Entomology Annual Report 1981-1982]." [1982]. Departmental Records, DR 098. American Museum of Natural History Library.
    (3) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Reports, Departmental. "The Annual Report Department of Invertebrates For the Fiscal Year July 1, 1981 – June 30, 1982." May 17, 1982. Departmental Records, DR 098. American Museum of Natural History Library.
    (4) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "Research with Museum's New Scanning Electron Microscope Highlighted in Special Exhibition." September 3, 1981. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Library.

Terms

localDescription
temporary exhibition
localDescription
enhanced
place
New YorkExternal link
AMNH: Floor 2

Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Akeley Gallery.
Location of exhibition 1981 September 23 – 1981 December 30 (1, p. 1)
American Museum of Natural History. Department of Entomology.
Related department (1, p. 2; 2, p. 11)
American Museum of Natural History. Department of Invertebrates.
Related department (1, p. 2; 3, p. 12)
American Museum of Natural History. Department of Mammalogy.
Related department (1, p. 2)
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (U.S.)External link
Institutional partner (4, p. 2)
Batten, Roger Lyman
Scientific advisor and consultant for exhibition; Department of Invertebrates (3, p. 12)
Lee, John J.
Collaborated with Roger Batten for exhibition; Research Associate, Department of Invertebrates (3, p. 12)
New York Microscopical Society
Institutional partner (1, p. 1)
Platnick, Norman I.
Assisted in preparation of exhibition; Department of Entomology (2, p. 11)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1980-1981: [0], 2, 48.
American Museum of Natural History annual reports, 1902-2001.
"[Entomology Annual Report 1981-1982]." [1982]; "The Annual Report Department of Invertebrates For the Fiscal Year July 1, 1981 – June 30, 1982."
subjectOf
American Museum of Natural History photographic slides of a microscope, 1981. American Museum of Natural History Library Special Collections.
American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s.
"Calendar of Events, September 1981." July 17, 1981; "Special Museum Exhibition Examines the History of Microscopes." August 3, 1981; "Calendar of Events, October 1981." August 26, 1981; "Research with Museum's New Scanning Electron Microscope Highlighted in Special Exhibition." September 3, 1981; "Calendar of Events, November 1981." September 28, 1981; "Calendar of Events, December 1981." October 26, 1981.

Written by: Clare O'Dowd
Last modified: 2018 August 2


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