This is a brief history of the development of microscopy, from the use of beads and water droplets in ancient Greece, through the simple magnifying glass, to the modern compound microscope. The technology and optical theory are developed in a straightforward manner, and this leads to a description and explanation of the most modern technologies in electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy as well as the new scanning probe microscopies. A series of very interesting applications of the various microscopic techniques are described. The most recent pioneering techniques in near field and confocal optical microscope technologies are described and evaluated for their future importance.Contents:Light and the Ancient GreeksEarly MicroscopiesEarly MicroscopistsPolarized Light and CrystalsThe Polarizing MicroscopeReflected Light MicroscopyParticles and WavesThe Electron MicroscopeThe Scanning Electron MicroscopeChemical Composition from MicroscopyScanning Probe MicroscopiesAcoustic MicroscopyFuture MicroscopiesReadership: Science undergraduates and general readers.Key Features:Provides a good foundation for those who wish to study Hopf algebras on their ownProvides a firm foundation for those who are more interested in applications to other areasGives many exercises which suggest connections to explore