Final answer:
Benjamin Banneker invented a wooden clock in 1792, marking a significant contribution to American technology at the time as one of the first striking clocks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benjamin Banneker, an African-American polymath, is often credited with inventing a wooden clock in 1792. This invention was significant because it was one of the first striking clocks made in America and it was entirely crafted from wood. Banneker's clock struck on the hour, a technology that was relatively complex at the time. His accomplishments are notable given that he was a largely self-educated individual during a time when African Americans faced severe educational and social limitations.
The information provided about the inventions and advancements in the field of astronomy, such as the development of the telescope by Hans Lippershey, Zaccharias Janssen, and Jacob Metius, and its refinement by Galileo, as well as the invention of the sextant, though interesting and related to the general field of scientific inventions of the past, does not pertain directly to Banneker's clock invention.
Benjamin Banneker's 1792 invention does not link to the development of the telescope or the sextant, but it is indeed an important example of the innovations of the time, showcasing the remarkable achievements individuals could make with limited resources and facing significant societal challenges.