All you need to assemble one is a bit of patience and dexterity.

I saw this video a while back…I knew that this would be a great thing to support, so I decided to contribute. Paper microscopes, that can be easily used in the field? Count me in:

Foldscope is the ultra-affordable, paper microscope that you assemble yourself. Designed to be extremely portable, durable, and to give optical quality similar to conventional research microscopes (magnification of 140X and 2 micron resolution), Foldscope brings hands-on microscopy to new places!

Our mission is to produce low-cost scientific tools that globally expand access to science. We aim to break down the price barrier between people & the curiosity and excitement of scientific exploration. (Via)

They are beautifully designed.

Assembly instructions are clearly outlined; now anyone can make–and use–a microscope.

This is a magnification of the wing of a fly.

A leg of the same fly

For more information on how to buy these microscopes, how to use them, and sample pictures, click here and here. Hopefully, I’ll be able to add more pictures to this gallery.