In 1665, Hooke used a primitive microscope to observe thin slices of cork. He noticed small, box-like compartments that reminded him of the cells in a monastery. He coined the term "cell" to describe these compartments, and his observations were published in his book "Micrographia."
While Hooke did not actually observe living cells (he was looking at dead plant cells), his work was crucial in paving the way for further research and understanding of the basic unit of life.
