Galileo Galilei
Considered first modern scientist
- Rely on observations and experiments to test theories of reality
- dominant Greeks (Plato, Aristotle) appealed to pure thought
- Greek influence hobbled science for 1000 years
Came soon after Copernicus
- Galileo’s observations proved Copernican theory
Established important laws of motion
- Newton later organized them formally
- inertia, falling bodies, etc.
Used newly invented spyglass to investigate heavens
- Dutch opticians (eyeglasses, microscope ~1600)
- Hans Lippershey developed “looker” 1608
- see distant objects -- useful in warfare