Compasses are indispensable tools for navigation, both on land and at sea. But did you know that there are many fascinating things about these tools that you may not have known? Here are some interesting facts about compasses:
Compasses did not always point to the North
During the Middle Ages, compasses pointed to magnetic south, rather than magnetic north. It was not until the 17th century that compasses began to point to magnetic north.
Compasses are older than you think
The first compasses were invented in China in the 2nd century BC. These early compasses were magnetic stone spoons used to find minerals.
Compasses can lose their magnetism
If a compass is exposed to a strong magnetic field, such as that of a magnet, it may lose its magnetism and stop working properly.
Compasses are useful for more than just navigation
Compasses are also used in mining to find mineral deposits, and in engineering to measure the direction of structures.
Compasses have different designs
There are different types of compasses, such as handheld compass, diving compass and navigational compass. Each type has a specific design for its intended use.
These are just some of the fascinating facts about compasses. As you can see, these tools have a long history and are useful for many other things besides navigation. Learning more about compasses can help you better understand how they work and how to use them effectively.