The development of biological preparative techniques for light microscopy, 1839–1989

The development of techniques of preparing biological material for microscopical observation is summarized, with much greater emphasis being given to the introduction and establishment of the various techniques, largely in the nineteenth century, than to their perfection and extremely widespread use in the twentieth century. The development of the microtome as an instrument of the greatest importance is summarized and an assessment is made of the impact of preparative techniques on the development of the medical sciences.     

Scanning electron microscopy 1928–1965

This article gives an account of the origins of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and traces its development up to 1965 when the first SEM was marketed by the Cambridge Instrument Company. The survey concentrates on the SEM, as distinct from the microanalytic electron probe instruments that were also being developed during this period.