The first telescope was invented in the Netherlands in 1608. Hans Lippershey, a spectacle maker, is often credited with its creation, although two other spectacle makers, Zacharias Janssen and Jacob Metius, also developed similar designs around the same time. Lippershey’s telescope was a refracting telescope that used lenses to magnify distant objects. It had a three-times magnification, which, while modest, laid the groundwork for subsequent improvements in telescope technology. The invention of the telescope quickly spread throughout Europe, and it was Galileo Galilei who significantly improved upon Lippershey’s design. In 1609, Galileo built his own version with up to 20-times magnification, enabling groundbreaking astronomical discoveries including the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus. These advancements marked a pivotal moment in both astronomy and the use of optical instruments, greatly expanding humanity’s understanding of the universe.