The telescope is one of humanities greatest inventions! This simple device, that made far things appear nearby, gave the observers a new perspective. The original patent for an optical device was a Dutch eyeglass maker called Johanne Lipershey in 1608.
So , let me introduce you to the founders of the telescope:
Johanne (Hans) Lippershey
Jacob Metius
Zacharias Janssen
In this lesson, we shall dive into a brief history on who the founder of the telescope were, and how their discoveries have lead to modern day optics.
Background Information
The original patent for an optical device was a Dutch eyeglass maker called Johanne Lipershey in 1608. Lippershey claimed that his device could magnify objects by three times and was constructed of a concave eyepiece aligned with a convex objective lens. The design as legend has it was discovered when two children held up the lenses and aligned them by hand making a distant weather vane appear closer. It was also rumoured at the time that Lippershey stole the idea from another eyeglass maker named Zacharias Jansen. To add more confusion to the mix another Dutchman, Jacob Metius also applied for a telescope patent a few weeks after Lippershey resulting in the government of the Netherlands rejecting both applications! This didn’t stop either man profiting from their discovery.
