Magnifying Glass – Detective Stories

Magnifying Glass – Detective Stories

Magnifying glass is a convex lens device helping to get an enlarged image of an object. Famous real or fantasy detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Gadget, Jessica Fletcher, Hercules Poirot, Nanacy Drew, Inspector Gadget or Colombo remained famous not only for their detective skills but also for using the magnifying glass as the trustworthy tool to discover the criminals. Magnifying glass is not a simple gadget but a reliable tool in detective stories.

From The Magnifying Glass to the Microscope

It is believed that the first civilization who discovered the magnifying glass were the Romans. Sometimes referred to as “burning glasses”, the Romans used magnifying glass not only to enlarge objects but also to start a fire using sunlight.

It is believed that, around 3500 BC, the Phoenicians were the first who actually discovered the properties of sand and that this could be transformed in glass.

Magnifying glass was also the inspiration item which led to the creation of the telescope. Around 1500 AD magnifying glass was processed further and improved. Hans Lippershey is the first known inventor of the telescope. Galileo Galilei, also contributed to the improvement of telescope as we know it today.

Basically the magnifying glass is a rudimentary microscope. Anthony Leeuwenhoek, also known as the father of microscope, used a newer technology to improve magnifying glasses and used his invention to observe bacteria and other microorganisms.

Today the Hubble telescope uses basically the same principle as a magnifying glass does but its high tech technology permits us to observe images of our universe as old as 800 years after the Big Bang.

Today magnifying glass is a very accessible product and you can buy it from almost every corner of the Earth. Furthermore, you can hear about magnifying glass designed for android technology or windows.

Famous Detectives Tool - Magnifying Glass

The classic image of Sherlock Holmes surely makes us think of a magnifying glass and a pipe. There is even a museum in the United Kingdom opened in the great detective’s memory. One of the most popular souvenirs is a Sherlock style magnifying glass with and remarkable handle covered in leather you can buy for 32 GBP.

Hercules Poirot , the inspiring character created by Agatha Christie is also associated with the image of the magnifying glass or spectacles. Hercules Poirot builds his case by searching for fingerprints, studying cigarettes butts and other interesting clues by using his famous magnifying glass.

Nancy Drew is a fictional film and PC game character whose icon is always related to a magnifying glass. She is a teenager hungry for adventure and uses the magnifying glass as a symbol of truth.

Inspector Gadget is a funny fictional character of an animated film with the same name. He uses unconventional magnifying glasses to search for clues and sometimes just for getting out of trouble.

Where Can You Buy a Magnifying Glass?

Nowadays you magnifying glass is not a luxury product. You can buy it from the department store, hardware store, book store and even from the supermarket.

You can find a good magnifying glass at prices starting from 1 USD to hundreds of dollars, depending on the purpose and quality.