<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The theory of image formation in a microscope proposed by Ernst Abbe changed the scientific approach to microscopy. Though the theory had many detractors, his new approach led to a technological revolution in the design and construction of high-quality microscopes. It paved the way for new discoveries in the fields of biology and medicine. Joaquín María de Castellarnau, was a contemporary connoisseur of Abbe’s ideas who decided to disseminate them in Spain through various publications and training courses. In his lectures, he used various devices for practical demonstrations that allowed some concepts of the new theory to be better understood. At the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid (MNCN–CSIC), one such original and unusual instrument designed by Abbe and used by Castellarnau has been preserved in perfect condition. Castellarnau used this instrument for various experiments that helped clarify the most complex points of Abbe’s theory. In this work, we explore how the context in which science developed in Spain favoured practical activities to demonstrate new scientific theories, such as Abbe’s in the early twentieth century.</p>
</abstract>

The theory of image formation in a microscope proposed by Ernst Abbe changed the scientific approach to microscopy. Though the theory had many detractors, his new approach led to a technological revolution in the design and construction of high-quality microscopes. It paved the way for new discoveries in the fields of biology and medicine. Joaquín María de Castellarnau, was a contemporary connoisseur of Abbe’s ideas who decided to disseminate them in Spain through various publications and training courses. In his lectures, he used various devices for practical demonstrations that allowed some concepts of the new theory to be better understood. At the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid (MNCN–CSIC), one such original and unusual instrument designed by Abbe and used by Castellarnau has been preserved in perfect condition. Castellarnau used this instrument for various experiments that helped clarify the most complex points of Abbe’s theory. In this work, we explore how the context in which science developed in Spain favoured practical activities to demonstrate new scientific theories, such as Abbe’s in the early twentieth century.

Abbe’s Theory and its Introduction in Spain: The Use of Instruments for Scientific Demonstrations

HoST - Journal  of History of Science and Technology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The theory of image formation in a microscope proposed by Ernst Abbe changed the scientific approach to microscopy. Though the theory had many detractors, his...

Abbe’s Theory and its Introduction in Spain: The Use of Instruments for Scientific Demonstrations

Published Online: Dec 21, 2022

Page range: 113 - 135

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/host-2022-0018

Keywords
Ernst Abbe, Joaquín Mª de Castellarnau, diffraction, microscope, demonstration apparatus

© 2022 Esteban Moreno Gómez et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Abbe’s Theory and its Introduction in Spain: The Use of Instruments for Scientific Demonstrations

Published Online: Dec 21, 2022

Page range: 113 - 135

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/host-2022-0018

KeywordsErnst Abbe, Joaquín Mª de Castellarnau, diffraction, microscope, demonstration apparatus

© 2022 Esteban Moreno Gómez et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Ernst Abbe, Joaquín Mª de Castellarnau, diffraction, microscope, demonstration apparatus