The discovery of the glass knife

Abstract

We celebrate 500 years of development of the new world following its discovery by Columbus. We also celebrate 50 years of the Electron Microscope Society of America and the exploration of the new world of electron microscopy. A major part of this exploration was the development of techniques for the preparation and sectioning or biologic materials for electron microscopy, which depended on improvements in fixation, staining, embedding, microtomes, and microtome knives.The story of the glass knife involves serendipity and a Japanese sword. It begins in 1949 when a group of research fellows at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were trying to section tissue for electron microscopy with conventional microtome knives sharpened by hand. One day I had to park my car at the far end of the MIT lot and walk back through several buildings. On my way I passed a metallurgy exhibit which displayed a Samurai sword.