About This Video

Galileo Galilei built his first telescope not for astronomy, but as a tool to see distant objects, such as ships, from afar. He realized the strategic advantage of this, and with a simple gift of what was considered a toy at the time, earned him a comfortable position within the Venetian court.

Two of Galileo's early telescopes. Image courtesy of Kath B; Recorded June 2009; Posted July 2011