History of SEM SEMs were developed after TEMs The first SEM image was obtained in 1935 by Max Knoll A British patent for an SEM was filed in 1937 by Manfred von Ardenne. The first commercial SEM was sold in 1965 by Cambridge Instruments Company (now Zeiss) 6History of SEM • SEMs were developed after TEMs • The first SEM image was obtained in 1935 by Max Knoll • A British patent for an SEM was filed in 1937 by Manfred von Ardenne. • The first commercial SEM was sold in 1965 by Cambridge Instruments Company (now Zeiss) 6