What would the world be like without knowledge of the solar system? No one would land on the Moon, and no research would focus on the effects of the Sun's gravity on Earth. Furthermore, what if Galileo had never studied the laws of moving objects or their mathematical effects? Many of today's advanced technologies depend on this fact. Galileo Galilei was an astronomer, physicist and mathematician who was influential for the complex discoveries he made and the knowledge he bequeathed to the modern world. He was one of the key figures in providing information to the scientific revolution and was important during the Renaissance. Furthermore, he contributed to physics, mathematics, and astronomy through discoveries demonstrated through extensive experiments. Many would consider this great man very important in the studies he undertook. This is why he is listed at number twelve in Michael Hart's book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History. Galileo Galilei was influenced by the world he lived in and his time in Italy during the 1500s. He was born on February 15, 1564 in Pisa, Italy, and lived during the Renaissance. In the book Galileo Galilei and the science of movement it is said that "at the time of Galileo's birth...Tuscany was controlled by the powerful Medici family, who had come to power with the wealth accumulated in banking and commerce" (Boerst 14) . During this time period, many artists and musicians were transitioning to more secular themes and works. Yet, despite the new secular themes, the Copernican theory was still not accepted by the Church. It was a doctrine that “had been deemed heretical in 1616” (Peter). This meant that the central church wanted to control the information available to the people, but later lost some of its power. Furthermore, Galileo was influenced to be a