Clearly humanity saw and knew about the Moon since forever, and somebody likely did think of walking on it or whatnot. At some point in the 17th century our te

Clearly humanity saw and knew about the Moon since forever, and somebody likely did think of walking on it or whatnot. At some point in the 17th century our technology allows us to have a better view of the Moon and even led to this https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/17th-century-astronomer-who-made-first-atlas-moon-180971103/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/17th-century-a... I think this may count as a new "discovery" phase of our relationship with the familiar celestial object, and may have indeed prompted an uptake in fantasies about perhaps one day walking in it.