It was perhaps one of the great inventions, however unintentional. It was perhaps a true testament of fortune, luck daring to smile down. But the compound microscope–now used in medical and scientific fields across the globe, a necessity to humanity’s understanding of the days–was not meant to be discovered; at least not in its original form.

In approximately 1590, Zacharias Jansen (a spectacle maker, and occasional counterfeiter, from the Netherlands) sought to ease the pain of his patients. They could not see; the images were all blurred, distorted by failing eyes and uncertainty. The focus was too small. The words were too tiny. They needed to be expanded, offered in greater size and detail.

Which is why Jansen tried to magnify them, using a single lens to slide across the page and brighten the effect. The compound microscope, consequently, was created.

And it is through this happy accident that the science was able to be passed down, changed through the years to form the instruments used today. Each is essential to the hope of learning the world, to studying the miniscule particles and pieces. From Jansen we discovered logic. And from logic we’ve discovered Earth.

And, though some may name him more thief than inventor, none can deny the effects of his offering. They are indelible. They are infallible. They are vital.

Even if they were born from a completely different purpose.

History may mark them as simple chance. The present will mark them as important.