Development of the telescope

The development of telescopes and the binoculars derived from them was triggered by a desire to see faraway objects up close. Although initially developed to get a closer look at the stars in the sky, telescopes gradually became valuable tools for terrestrial observations, too.
Several names are linked to the invention of telescopes, including Hans Lipperhey from Middelburg in the Netherlands and Jacob Metius of Alkmaar. The two spectacle-makers independently submitted patent applications to the States-General of the Netherlands in The Hague in October 1608. It is also said that Sacharias Janssen from Middelburg invented a telescope back in 1590.