Eileen Reeves, a Princeton Professor of Comparative Literature and an expert on Galileo, dives into the fascinating world of early telescopic innovation. She discusses the groundbreaking mechanics behind Galileo's trumpet-shaped telescopes, highlighting their adjustable eyepieces. The conversation traverses the evolution of optical devices, from ancient inventions to modern science, and reveals the intricate dance of craftsmanship and theory in telescope development. Reeves emphasizes how these advancements shaped our understanding of the cosmos and the philosophical debates they ignited.
