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Optics & Imaging · Recorded milestone

Electron microscope

Recorded year1931

Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll build the first electron microscope; by 1933 it resolves finer detail than light can.

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Built on

Quantum mechanicsRecorded · 1925enables

Led to

Carbon nanotubesRecorded · 1991requires
3D FinFET transistorRecorded · 2011requires
Cryo-electron microscopyRecorded · 2013enables
EUV lithographyRecorded · 2019requires
Quantum supremacy demoRecorded · 2019requires
Whole fly-brain connectomeRecorded · 2024enables

Sources & evidence

Additional source

Dataset updated 2026-10-18. This individual record has not been separately re-reviewed.