Friday, July 07, 2006

More on Hans Lippershey and His Refracting Telescope

The history and invention of the refracting telescope would not be complete without mentioning Hans Lippershey.

Lippershey is not only credited with the invention and construction of the first refracting telescope, but also of the world’s very first practical telescope.

In fact the Lippershey refractor was the sole model of the Galileo telescope – the first real astronomical telescope and a much more improved version of refracting telescope, in terms of mechanics and astronomical stargazing.

A Dutch optician and lens maker, Hans Lippershey was born in Germany but spent his life in Middelburg, Netherlands. Lippershey was experiencing success as a maker of spectacles, since he belong to a flourishing trade at that time.

Lens making became more established and exciting when new techniques on glass making were brought it from Italy.

There were contentions that the refracting telescope was not an idea original to Hans Lippershey but actually to his children, whom he observed one time playing and tinkering around with some lenses.

Still it is needless to say that Hans Lippershey should be given the same importance and credit many accord to Galileo Galilei when it comes to the invention and evolution of the refracting telescope.

Similar post: Refracting Telescope: Lippershey’s Invention

No comments: