The first electron microscope prototype was built in 1932. It was built by German engineers Max Knoll and Ernst Ruska. It was still capable of magnifying objects by four hundred times. This instrument was called electron microscope because a beam of electrons are passed through the specimen rather than a beam of light. The electron microscopeis used in viewing extremely small objects. Scientists use electron microscopes in many different fields of research, like medicine, biology, chemistry, and physics. Since its introduction, the electron microscope has revolutionized the study of microscopic structures and surfaces. The electron microscope is a vital part of many laboratories. Researchers use it to examine biological materials such as microorganisms and cells, molecules, biopsy samples in medicine, and even metals and crystal structures.

The Electron microscopes are able to have much higher powers of magnification than the visible light microscopes. It is because electrons have much shorter wavelengths associated than light waves. The highest magnification achievable with light microscopes is about two thousand times. The modern electron microscopes on the other hand can achieve magnifications approaching one to two million times.