Who Invented the Compass? Detailed answer

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Who Invented the Compass? Detailed answer

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Who Invented the Compass?

The simplest form of a compass is a magnetic needle mounted on a rod so that it can rotate freely in all directions. The arrow of such a so-called compass points to "north", which refers to the North magnetic pole of the Earth. Since its location is known, all points on land, on land and water, are plotted on the map in accordance with it. Thus, the compass can be a guide for the traveler everywhere on Earth.

No one knows how and when it was first discovered that a magnetized iron needle, freely rotating in a circle, always points north. At one time it was believed that the Chinese made this discovery about 4500 years ago, but now this version is being questioned. In any case, the Chinese were among the earliest people to know the principle of the compass.

Arab merchants learned about the compass from them and introduced Europe to it. It is known for sure that during the XII century the compass became already well known in Europe. Probably the earliest type of compass consisted of a magnetized needle threaded into a piece of wood and floating in a bowl of water.

The next step was to use a needle, put on an axle protruding from the bottom of the bowl.

The purpose of the first compasses was to determine only the north-south direction, and the bowl was turned so that the north end of the arrow was above the north designation printed on the bowl. In later devices, a card was attached to the arrow itself with all the applied parts of the world.

As you know, the North Magnetic Pole and the North Pole are not the same. The North Magnetic Pole is located at the northernmost point of the Arctic coast of North America, on the Butia Peninsula. All compass needles in the Northern Hemisphere point to this point.

The ancient peoples did not know the difference between the North magnetic and geographic North Poles. They were far from both and it seemed to them that the compass needle always points to the north. Sailors of later times, who ventured far from home, noticed this difference and were greatly puzzled. You can imagine the bewilderment of the ancient Scandinavians, traveling the arctic seas around Greenland, when they discovered that at some points the compass needle points almost to the west!

Author: Likum A.

Random interesting fact from the Great Encyclopedia:

Which European country has been at war with Japan for over a century?

In 1904, supporting the Russian Empire, the Principality of Montenegro declared war on Japan. Although Montenegro could not provide significant assistance, and in fact it consisted of a small detachment of volunteers who joined the Russian army. When the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed in 1905, they forgot about Montenegro, and during the 20th century they did not return to this issue, since Montenegro soon ceased to be an independent state. Only in 2006, Japan, recognizing the independence of Montenegro, which had seceded from Serbia, declared the end of the state of war, which, thus, formally lasted 102 years. It is noteworthy that the Montenegrin national football team played the first international match with the Japanese.

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