Compass and navigation history

Published: 2023-03-25 10:56:19 • Daniel Gårdefelt

For centuries the magnetic compass has been an essential tool for navigation, enabling mariners and explorers to navigate. The compass dates back to ancient China, where it was originally used for divination before being used for navigation.

Old compasses
The compass can be traced back as far as 300 BC in China. The compass, also known as a "south pointer", was a magnetic device in the form of a spoon that was placed on a flat surface. The spoon would line up with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing south. This instrument was used for divination and was believed to have supernatural powers.

The magnetic compass came to Europe in the 12th century, where it was largely used for navigation by sailors. An early compass consisted of a magnetic needle suspended from a piece of silk or other light material. The needle would line up with the Earth's magnetic field, indicating north-south direction.

Italian sailor Flavio Gioia first used a compass for navigation in the early 14th century. He navigated the Mediterranean using a compass and was able to make expeditions despite bad weather.

Improvements and new developments
The magnetic compass has seen many upgrades and innovations over the decades. The addition of a compass rose, a circular design marked with cardinal directions (north, south, east and west) and subdivisions, was one of the most significant changes. Using the compass in conjunction with astronomical navigation allowed sailors to navigate with greater precision and efficiency.

The advent of the dry compass, which replaced the suspension of the needle in liquid with a fulcrum, was another significant advance. This improved the stability and accuracy of the compass readings.

The nineteenth-century invention of the marine compass, which was expressly intended for use at sea, was a significant advance. It was more durable, stable and could adjust for fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field induced by the metal components of the spacecraft.

Modern navigation
Despite modern navigation such as GPS and other advanced navigation technology, the magnetic compass remains an indispensable instrument for navigation. In reality, many current navigation systems continue to use the magnetic compass as a backup.

The introduction of electronic compasses and digital compasses has increased the precision of navigation by enabling real-time observations and automatic calibration.