While there isn't one singular inventor of the lens, its origins can be traced back to the ancient Romans. Seneca, a Roman philosopher, wrote about using a ball of crystal to magnify letters around 2000 years ago. This demonstrates the early understanding of how lenses work by refracting light.
The discovery and development of the lens were likely a gradual process, with different civilizations contributing to its evolution. Evidence suggests that lenses were used in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. However, Hans Lippershey, a Dutch lensmaker, is often credited with inventing the first true telescope in 1608. He used a convex lens as the objective lens and a concave lens as the eyepiece.
It's crucial to remember that the lens itself is a simple optical element. Its application and refinement over time, leading to inventions like the telescope and microscope, involved contributions from numerous individuals and cultures.
