The first telescopes were made in Holland in 1608. A year later, Galileo built his own, and modern astronomy was born! In the blink of an eye (so to speak) telescopes went to sea and started exploring planet Earth. The whole spellbinding story is here, from the early instruments through the many developments over the centuries: reflectors, achromatic lenses, silver-coated mirrors…and then radio, infrared, x-ray, and space-based telescopes. Profusely illustrated with exquisite prints, drawings, and photographs, The Telescope will appeal to all who love the mind-blowing adventure called science.