Scientific drawing in small point, or stippling, emerged during the 18th century. This technique was popularized by engravers and illustrators of the time in order to create sharp contrasts and realistic representations of scientific subjects. In the 19th century, the improvement of printing techniques and the popularity of illustrated encyclopedias allowed the development of stippling, which became a standard technique for illustrating scientific publications (description of new species, illustrations, etc.). Today, many scientific illustrators continue to use this technique for its precision and complementary aesthetic to the photographs and digital techniques used in publications.