[]Historically the Dutch spectacle a maker Hans Lipperhey is attributed to the invention of the telescope. This is disputed in various texts and several people have claimed to have been the inventor of the telescope. This is the reason that Lipperhey did not get a patent for his invention.

In the end of September 1608 he had come from Middelburg to Den Haag to demonstrate his invention to Prince Maurits, who at that time was negotiating piece with Spain to end the 80-year war. Lipperhey demonstrated the instrument on top of the Maurits tower and showed how one could see the clock the church tower in Delft and the windows in the church of Leiden. (Pieters kerk?) This shocked his military opponent Marquis Spinola (there on behalf of Spain) who said 'from this moment I shall not be safe anymore, because you can observe me from afar!“ Where upon the prince, using this to his advantage, answered “we will prohibit our people to shoot at you.”

He then payed Lipperhey a hefty sum for the invention and promised more in exchange for him to keep this great weapon a secret, as it promised great military advantage. The telescope was deemed a military weapon with terrible power, and probably helped end the war.

However because of the (un)fortunate timing of Lipperhey's demonstration, many fougheign diplomats and military leaders saw this instrument first hand and not even a year had passed before all great leaders in Eruope had telescopes. Notable people are the French king, the archduke of Austria and even Pope Paul V.

In the pamphlet describing this occurance it was already said that these glasses were very useful for sieges and similar afairs but also for pointing at the sky and seeing stars which are normally not visible by eye.

Source: Embassies of the king of Siam sent to his excellency Prince Maurits, arrived in the Hague of September 10 1608 - Henk Zoomers