Dutch Spectacle maker Hans Lippershey applies for a patent with the State General of the Netherlands for the first refracting telescope. This early telescope was capable of magnifying objects to three times their normal size. Several weeks later, Jacob Metius, another Dutch spectacle maker, applied for the same patent. Due to the controversy surrounding who invented the telescope and the simplicity of the design, Lippershey was not granted the patent. He was however paid handsomely by the Dutch government for copies of his design, which were used in warfare spy on opposing sides. The image is of Lippershey and is from wikimedia commons.