1668

Issac Newton

Newton didn't discover moons around Jupiter like Galileo did, or plot the return of a comet like Halley did.  But what he did do was tie in mathematics, astronomy and our understanding of the universe using his reflective telescope.  His simple design opened up the universe for greater inspection by making it possible to magnify objects millions of times - unimaginable in 1668!

"I think the human race has no future if it doesn't go into space."

STEPHEN HAWKING