Louis Pasteur’s Compound Microscope
Compound monocular microscope used by Louis Pasteur
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Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), the French chemist and microbiologist, used microscopes like this compound microscope during his experiments on spontaneous generation. By 1864, Pasteur disproved this theory by experimenting with fermentation. He placed yeast water in a swan-necked flask that only allowed air to enter. The water remained clear. Only when the flask was open to dust and micro-organisms did fermentation occur. The microscope was made by Nachet et fils.
- Measurements:
-
overall: 276 mm x 87 mm x 122 mm, 2.03kg
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy) , glass , cast iron and enamel
- Object Number:
- A55114 Pt1
- type:
- compound microscope
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.