Hooke became an assistant to Robert Boyle, the renowned chemist and physicist. This role provided him with invaluable practical experience in conducting experiments and constructing scientific instruments, particularly in Boyle's work with the air pump. He likely assisted in the experiments that led to Boyle's Law.

Hooke was appointed Curator of Experiments at the newly formed Royal Society of London. This position required him to devise and conduct demonstrations at the society's meetings, showcasing new scientific discoveries and engaging the members' curiosity. He also provided and demonstrated new scientific instruments to the Society.

Hooke published "Micrographia", a groundbreaking book that presented detailed illustrations and descriptions of microscopic observations. This work, featuring drawings of insects, plants, and other minute objects, popularized microscopy and introduced the term 'cell' to describe the compartments he observed in cork.

Hooke formulated his Law of Elasticity, stating that the force needed to extend or compress a spring is proportional to the distance of that extension or compression. Expressed as 'ut tensio sic vis', it's a fundamental principle in physics and engineering. Hooke originally presented it as an anagram, and later revealed the solution.

Hooke made significant contributions to astronomy, including observations of Mars and Jupiter, and suggestions for improvements to telescopes. He also speculated about the nature of gravity and planetary motion, foreshadowing some of Newton's later ideas.

After the Great Fire of London in 1666, Hooke became one of the city surveyors, working alongside Christopher Wren to rebuild the city. He designed numerous buildings, contributing significantly to the architectural landscape of London. This work continued throughout the latter part of his life.