Micrographia

Micrographia, published in 1665 by English natural philosopher Robert Hooke, was the first scientific book to become a best seller. In the volume, Hooke illustrated various plants, manufactured objects and insects as seen, for the first time in history, through a hand crafted microscope.
Despite of the book’s success, the public was actually freaked out by the reveal of the micro world and the monstrous microorganisms that have been living unnoticed on their bodies, in their hair and under their skin.
Check Hooke’s story in this bbc documentary (go to 29.40min).
More info on Micrographia here and here.
Pictures found here.