The invention of the microscope is credited to Dutch spectacle maker Zacharias Janssen and his father Hans, who in the late 16th century created a simple microscope by placing a convex lens in a tube. However, the credit for the invention of the compound microscope, which uses multiple lenses to magnify an object, is often given to Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek.

Van Leeuwenhoek, who lived in the 17th century, was a self-taught scientist who became famous for his extensive observations of microscopic organisms. He was the first person to describe and study bacteria, and he made many other important contributions to the field of microbiology.

Van Leeuwenhoek's microscopes were handmade and had a magnification power of up to 300 times. They consisted of a single lens that was held between two metal plates, which could be adjusted to change the focus. Van Leeuwenhoek was able to achieve high magnifications by grinding his lenses to a very high degree of precision.

Van Leeuwenhoek's microscopes were so well made that they remained the best available for nearly 150 years, until the development of more advanced microscopes in the 19th century. These included the compound microscope, which uses multiple lenses to magnify an object, and the electron microscope, which uses a beam of electrons to produce an image.

The invention of the microscope was a crucial development in the history of science, as it allowed scientists to observe and study microscopic organisms for the first time. This led to many important discoveries in the fields of microbiology, anatomy, and physiology, and helped to pave the way for modern medicine.

In conclusion, while the invention of the simple microscope is credited to the Janssen family, the credit for the invention of the compound microscope is often given to Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, who made many important contributions to the field of microbiology with his handmade microscopes. The invention of the microscope was a crucial development in the history of science, as it allowed scientists to observe and study microscopic organisms for the first time.