Science Fiction History: 1532 Ludovico Ariosto Visits the Moon

About the poet Ludovico Ariosto who wrote Orlando Furioso in 1532 which contained a description of the moon.

--1532. Italian writer Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem, Orlando Furioso, includes a quest for "Orlando's lost wits." As everything lost on earth had gone to the moon, one Astolpho went there, too--in Elijah's fiery chariot. The moon contained rich fields, towns, lakes, rivers, unkept vows, prayers and benefits forgot, and "Orlando's lost wits," conveniently found in an urn.