It's difficult to say definitively what was the *very* first telescope, as early forms of optical instruments existed before the invention of the telescope as we know it. However, the invention commonly attributed to being the first practical telescope is credited to Hans Lippershey, a Dutch spectacle maker, in 1608.

Here's why Lippershey is often considered the "inventor" of the telescope:

* He was the first to seek a patent for a telescope. While there's evidence that others may have been experimenting with similar devices around the same time, Lippershey's patent application is the earliest documented attempt to claim ownership of the invention.

* His telescope was a functional instrument. Lippershey's telescope was a refracting telescope, using lenses to magnify distant objects. It was reportedly capable of magnifying objects three to four times.

It's important to note that other individuals, such as Zacharias Janssen and Jacob Metius, were also working on similar optical devices around the same time. There's debate about who truly deserves credit for the invention, but Lippershey's patent application gave him the most widely recognized claim.

Regardless of the exact inventor, the invention of the telescope marked a pivotal moment in human history, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe and opening up new avenues for scientific exploration.