Ancient mariners navigated by the stars, but that method didn’t work during the day or on cloudy nights, and so it was unsafe to voyage far from land.
The Chinese invented the first compass sometime between the 9th and 11th century; it was made of lodestone, a naturally-magnetized iron ore, the attractive properties of which they had been studying for centuries. (Pictured is a model of an ancient Chinese compass from the Han Dynasty; it is a south-indicating ladle, or sinan, made of polished lodestone.) Soon after, the technology passed to Europeans and Arabs through nautical contact. The compass enabled mariners to navigate safely far from land, increasing sea trade and contributing to the Age of Discovery.
Image Name: Rugby Australia Image Credit: The Guardian Rugby Australia returns to Melbourne Rebels court…
Image Name: Jenna Fischer Image Credit: The New York Times Actress Jenna Fischer, famously known…
Image Name: Raptors' Rookie Image Credit: Sporting News Dick is all set for a good…
Image Name: Canadian Chamber Of Commerce Image Credit: CBC With the U.S. election fast approaching,…
Image Name: Trudeau Discussing Trade And Security Image Credit: PM.gc.ca Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will…
Image Name: Eminem Image Credit: Rolling Stone A warm revelation came when the rap sage,…
