Leeuwenhoek himself occasionally got carried away with his enthusiasms. In one of his least successful experiments13 he tried to study the explosive properties of gunpowder by observing a small blast at close range; he nearly blinded himself in the process.
Leeuwenhoek, a passionate scientist, sometimes let his curiosity lead him into risky situations. His enthusiasm for discovery sometimes overshadowed his caution, resulting in dangerous experiments.
One such incident occurred when he attempted to investigate the explosive characteristics of gunpowder up close. This lack of prudence almost cost him his sight, illustrating the sometimes perilous nature of scientific exploration during his time.
