If You Get Directionless Then Just Use a Compass

Earlier stars were used for navigation by ancient mariners. This method was not very useful during day or on cloudy nights. Thus, it becomes very unsafe to voyage far from land. The people from China came up with a new surprising discovery which can really help voyagers to know the exact direction.

Chinese people invented the very first compass between the 9^th and 11^th century. The Han Dynasty of China is linked with the invention of compass. It was made up of lodestone and it was naturally-magnetized iron ore. They had been studying the attractive properties of iron ore since centuries.

Very soon the technology passed and spread to Europeans and Arabs through nautical contact. The age of discovery received contribution via the invention of compass. It enabled mariners to safely navigate at far off places and increased the sea trade.

By: Bhavna Sharma

Content: Hindustan Times