When was the compass invented?
Quick Answer
The magnetic compass was first developed in China during the Han dynasty around the 2nd century BC for divination, and it was adapted for navigation by roughly the 11th century AD.
The Full Story
The compass originated in ancient China, where lodestone, a naturally magnetic mineral, was used as early as the Han dynasty around the 2nd century BC, though initially for fortune-telling and aligning buildings rather than travel. By about the 11th century AD, Chinese sailors and scholars had adapted the magnetised needle for navigation, allowing ships to hold a course even when the Sun and stars were hidden. Knowledge of the compass spread westward, and by the 12th and 13th centuries it was in use among European and Arab navigators. The compass was a revolutionary tool that made long-distance sea voyages far safer and more reliable, helping to enable the great age of exploration. Modern compasses range from simple magnetic needles to sophisticated gyroscopic and electronic systems.
Key Facts
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"The Compass — The Ancient Chinese Invention That Guided the World"