The compass is a navigational tool that has been used for centuries to determine direction and location. The history of the compass can be traced back to ancient China, where it was originally used as a divination tool. By the 11th century, the compass was being used for navigational purposes and had spread to Europe. In the following centuries, improvements were made to the design of the compass, including the addition of a magnetized needle and the use of bearings for measuring direction. The compass played a vital role in the Age of Exploration, allowing sailors to navigate the open seas and discover new lands. Today, the compass remains a fundamental tool for navigation, used in various fields such as surveying, cartography, and orienteering.
Vocabulary:
• Magnetized: made into a magnet or having magnetic properties.
• Adopters: people who start to use or support something new or different.
• Innovate: introduce new ideas or methods.
• Microscope: an instrument used for viewing small objects or details.
• Circumnavigating: sailing or traveling completely around something, such as the Earth.
• Embedded: fixed firmly and deeply in something.
• Multi-tool: a versatile hand tool that combines several individual functions in a single unit.
Source: Ted-Ed