Pioneers of Electron Microscopy at Washington State University and Their Work

The first appearance of a transmission-type electron microscope in North America wasreported to have occurred in Toronto, Canada in 1939. However, two physicists, Paul A. Anderson and Kenneth E.. Fitzsimmons, had worked toward the development of electron microscopy at Washington State University in Pullman from 1931-38. Morever, they built a prototype electron microscope before 1935 and performed many kinds of electron optical experiments. Unfortunately, their pioneering efforts had to be halted for various reasons and their results were not published except for the structure of the camera chamber. Their prototype electron microscope has since been rebuilt and is currently on display in the Museum of Washington State University. The author introduced this fact and evaluated their efforts from a historical viewpoint.