The year 1656 in science and technology included many events, some of which are listed here.

See also: 1655 in science, other events of 1656, 1657 in science and the list of years in science.

Astronomy

• Christiaan Huygens discovers that Saturn's planetary rings consist of rocks.

Technology

• Christiaan Huygens designs and builds the first working pendulum clock, which was sufficiently accurate to be fitted with both a minute hand and a second hand.

Births

• Joseph Pitton de Tournefort, French botanist (died 1708)
• October 29 (Julian calendar) - Edmond Halley, English scientist (died 1742)

Deaths