If you ask a person what exactly helps him navigate in an unknown wilderness area far from populated areas, he will answer that it is a GPS navigator. Today, tourists rely on it to a greater extent. However, just recently the answer would have been different - a compass. It was this device that was a faithful assistant and travel companion in all the distant journeys of man. And even now it is not yet in oblivion, being still a useful and relevant invention. And humanity owes this...

Chinese Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty ended the disunity in China that had continued beyond the Tang period. From about 960 AD, there was a significant upsurge in the economic, political and social spheres of Chinese life. The empire received a powerful impetus for development, in which foreign trade relations with other countries became especially significant.

This is important because it was thanks to such development that the need to navigate the terrain arose. Rich caravans with goods had to travel great distances and not get lost along the way.

The appearance of the first compass

It was during the Song Dynasty that historians believe that the first compass appeared. In appearance, it resembled a spoon spinning freely on a saucer in the form of a plate on which the cardinal directions were marked. The surface of the “saucer” was so polished that the spoon could rotate freely in all directions.

If you add to the fact that the handle was slightly magnetized, you can get an idea of ​​exactly how it worked. No matter how the “spoon” was spun, its handle always pointed to the south.

There were also gift copies that were given to officials and the emperor himself. They were inlaid with skillful art, decorated with precious stones and were a real work of art.

At first, such compasses were used only in deserts and other countries, and then they were gradually transferred to maritime use, where they proved themselves to be excellent and spread throughout the world.

Currently, there are a variety of compass options. There are even electronic versions that are easy to install on a regular smartphone. They serve people well and are unlikely to ever be completely replaced by GPS navigators.

COMPASS, a device for determining horizontal directions on the ground. Used to determine the direction in which a ship, aircraft, or ground vehicle is moving; the direction in which the pedestrian is walking; directions to some object or landmark. Compasses are divided into two main classes: magnetic compasses of the pointer type, which are used by topographers and tourists, and non-magnetic ones, such as the gyrocompass and radio compass.

SPANISH NAVY COMPASS, 1853

Compass card. To determine directions, the compass has a card (Fig. 1) - a circular scale with 360 divisions (corresponding to one angular degree each), marked so that the countdown is from zero clockwise. The direction to the north (north, N, or S) usually corresponds to 0?, to the east (east, O, E, or B) - 90?, to the south (south, S, or S) - 180?, to the west (west , W, or Z) - 270?. These are the main compass points (cardinal points). Between them there are “quarter” directions: north-east, or north-east (45?), south-east, or south-east (135?), south-west, or south-west (225?) and north-west , or NW (315?). Between the main and quarter directions there are 16 “main” points, such as north-north-east and north-north-west (there were once 16 more points, such as “north-shadow-west”, called simply points).

MAGNETIC COMPASS

Operating principle. In a direction-indicating device, there must be some reference direction from which all others are measured. In a magnetic compass, this direction is the line connecting the North and South Poles of the Earth. The magnetic rod will set itself in this direction if it is hung so that it can rotate freely in the horizontal plane. The fact is that in the Earth’s magnetic field, a rotating pair of forces acts on the magnetic rod, setting it in the direction of the magnetic field. In a magnetic compass, the role of such a rod is played by a magnetized needle, which, when measured, is itself set parallel to the Earth’s magnetic field.

Pointer compass. This is the most common type of magnetic compass. It is often used in a pocket version. A pointer compass (Fig. 2) has a thin magnetic needle mounted freely at its midpoint on a vertical axis, which allows it to rotate in a horizontal plane. The northern end of the arrow is marked, and the card is fixed coaxially with it. When measuring, the compass must be held in your hand or mounted on a tripod so that the plane of rotation of the arrow is strictly horizontal. Then the north end of the arrow will point to the north magnetic pole of the Earth. A compass adapted for topographers is a direction-finding instrument, i.e. device for measuring azimuth. It is usually equipped with a telescope, which is rotated until it is aligned with the desired object, in order to then read the azimuth of the object using the card.

Liquid compass. The liquid compass, or floating card compass, is the most accurate and stable of all magnetic compasses. It is often used on sea vessels and is therefore called shipboard. The designs of such a compass are varied; in a typical version, it is a “pot” filled with liquid (Fig. 3), in which an aluminum cartridge is fixed on a vertical axis. On opposite sides of the axis, a pair or two pairs of magnets are attached to the card from below. In the center of the pot there is a hollow hemispherical protrusion - a float, which relieves pressure on the axle support (when the pot is filled with compass liquid). The axis of the card, passed through the center of the float, rests on a stone thrust pad, usually made of synthetic sapphire. The thrust bearing is fixed on a fixed disk with a “course line”. There are two holes at the bottom of the pot through which liquid can flow into the expansion chamber, compensating for changes in pressure and temperature.

Rice. 3. LIQUID (SHIP) COMPASS, the most accurate and stable of all types of magnetic compass. 1 - holes for overflowing compass fluid when it expands; 2 - filling plug; 3 - stone thrust bearing; 4 - inner ring of the universal joint; 5 - card; 6 - glass cap; 7 - heading line marker; 8 - card axis; 9 - float; 10 - yoke disk; 11 - magnet; 12 - pot; 13 - expansion chamber.

The card floats on the surface of the compass liquid. The liquid, in addition, calms the vibrations of the card caused by pitching. Water is not suitable for a ship's compass because it freezes. A mixture of 45% ethyl alcohol with 55% distilled water, a mixture of glycerin with distilled water, or high-purity petroleum distillate is used.

The compass bowl is cast from bronze and equipped with a glass cap with a seal that eliminates the possibility of leakage. An azimuth, or direction-finding, ring is fixed in the upper part of the pot. It allows you to determine the direction to various objects relative to the ship's course. The compass bowl is fixed in its suspension on the inner ring of the universal (universal) joint, in which it can rotate freely, maintaining a horizontal position, in rolling conditions.

The compass bowl is fixed so that its special arrow or mark, called the course, or a black line, called the course line, points to the bow of the vessel. When the ship's course changes, the compass card is held in place by magnets, which invariably maintain its north-south direction. By shifting the heading mark or line relative to the card, you can control course changes.

LIQUID COMPASS

We have known this amazing and simple device since childhood. We may not use it every day, but we still know its purpose and have probably held it in our hands at least once. Today, an electronic version of such a device is found in most smartphone models.

There are several types of compasses, which differ in the principle of operation - these are a regular magnetic compass, a gyrocompass, a radio compass, a satellite compass. All these models may differ somewhat in accuracy, but it is still quite possible to use all of them.

The purpose of a compass is to determine the cardinal directions. Such a definition is necessary especially in cases where there are no objects around that can serve as landmarks. If in the forest such orientation could somehow be organized, then on the open sea everything was much more difficult. Of course, people from an early age learned to navigate by the stars and the sun, but what was to be done on gloomy and gloomy days, when neither the stars at night nor the sun during the day were visible at all?

In addition to the open sea, desert travelers also experienced the need for orientation. Here it is also very difficult to adhere to the exact direction of movement without such a tool. Just think - there is only sand around you at a distance where only your eyes can see. How can you not get lost in the endless sea of ​​sand, which is simply everywhere here? Making travel even more difficult are sandstorms that force travelers to take shelter from the sand, becoming completely disoriented.

This is precisely the need that arose among Chinese travelers who traveled through the deserts during the Song Dynasty, which is approximately the third century BC. Interestingly, this era is marked by the most famous Chinese inventions. In addition to the compass, the printing press was invented during this period, which served to widely disseminate scientific and other literature. Confucianism was also reformed during this period.

Who invented the first compass

So what was the first compass? Oddly enough, the first compass was a spoon placed on a polished plate. We know this quite reliably. The fact is that we have reached a description of the first compass, which was made by the Chinese philosopher Fei Tzu. So, this spoon was a pouring one, it was well polished in the lower convex part. The spoon was made of magnetite and had a thin handle.

The base of the first compass was a polished copper plate. A wooden plate could also be used. A spoon was placed in the center of the polished plate with its convex side down. The balance of the spoon was selected in such a way that its handle did not touch the plate, but was always suspended. This position allowed the spoon to rotate freely, acting as a compass needle.

The plate itself was also not ordinary. Many different notches and markings were applied to its upper part. In addition to the designations of the cardinal directions, designations of the zodiac signs and other inscriptions were also applied to the plate.

The principle of operation of such a compass was extremely simple. The spoon, which could easily rotate around its axis on a polished surface, was set in motion. After she made several free turns, she stopped, clearly pointing to the south with her handle. Today on the Internet you can find many photographs of copies of old Chinese compasses, and you can also see a monument to the first compass, which is located in China, and is a huge copy of such a compass mounted on a stone pedestal.

From the 14th century to the present day - a modern compass

As time passed, the Chinese compass gradually changed its appearance and by the middle of the eleventh century it already looked like a jar of water into which a fish-shaped arrow was lowered. This fish was made from an artificial magnet. The fish could swim freely and this allowed it to always clearly navigate, each time turning its head in the direction of the south.

This type of compass was mainly used by Chinese sailors. Vessels with such fish were installed at the stern of ships or at the bow so that captains could accurately navigate the sea, no matter what the weather was like.

According to historical chronicles, the compass appeared in Europe in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. At first, such a compass on Chinese ships was seen and adopted by the Arabs, and a little later by the Europeans. Interestingly, the Italians called this device a “floating needle” and began to make similar devices themselves in their own way.

In its design it was very similar to the Chinese model. A magnetized needle was attached to a piece of wood and lowered into a vessel with water. Now this vessel has a glass lid in order to prevent wind and other interference from somehow affecting the arrow readings. Over time, another version of the compass appeared without using a container of water. A point was placed on the paper sheet in the center. A magnetized arrow was placed on this tip, which in this position could also rotate relatively freely. Over time, the design was improved and received other devices, such as a gimbal suspension, which made it possible to conveniently use the compass on the ship even during heavy rolling.

The compass as we know it today was patented in 1908 by Hermann Anschütz-Kämpfe. This German engineer-inventor spent a lot of time on expeditions. An interesting point is the fact that the famous physicist Albert Einstein took part in the creation of the compass together with Herman. The compass went into mass production and was called the “Einstein-Anschutz compass.” Modern models of mechanical compasses differ little from this model, although they may have greater accuracy and reliability.

How else can you use a compass?

Today, the compass is still an indispensable tool for every navigator and traveler. But it also has other uses. For example, the practice of feng shui is gaining popularity these days. The reader has probably heard about such a practice, which also came to us from distant China.

The essence of this practice comes down to a kind of symbolic exploration of space. The ancient Chinese believed that all household items should be located in clearly defined areas relative to the cardinal directions. And here, in order to correctly determine the location of this or that object, a compass was used. It must have a degree scale from 0 to 360. In addition, the accuracy of such a compass must be extremely high. Otherwise, all zones will be defined incorrectly, which may lead to the opposite effect.

For those who practice Feng Shui professionally, there is a special Luopan compass. It is characterized by high accuracy and has all the necessary symbols and tips, which greatly facilitate the work of a specialist. On the Internet you can find many recommendations on exactly how to place objects in the house so that it is fully consistent with ancient Chinese traditions.

You can also use a compass when designing a home or doing renovations. For example, with this device you can accurately determine the location of the sun at different times of the day. If you want the rays of the sun to gently wake you up in the morning, then you need to determine where the east is and place your bedroom windows exactly there. You can do the same with the living room, the windows of which can be facing west and you can watch the colorful sunset every evening while sitting in an armchair or sofa.

As you can see, a compass is an amazing device that has not undergone significant changes since its invention and is still actively used in a wide variety of areas of human activity. Agree, there are few such inventions that have survived from ancient centuries to the present day in virtually unchanged form.

Thanks to this invention, new lands were discovered - sailors could dare to sail to the open sea. Who knows how many more discoveries you could make for yourself using this amazing tool!

The history of the creation of the compass will be of interest not only to specialists. The compass can easily be included in the list of the greatest discoveries of mankind. Thanks to him, cartography was later created, which allowed people to learn about new things. We owe it to the compass. After all, before its appearance, travelers were guided only by the stars and geographical objects. But these landmarks were highly dependent on the weather. Ordinary clouds could easily disarm a traveler. Since the invention of the compass, these problems have disappeared. But the history of the creation of the compass requires a more detailed story. Well, let's begin!

Compass: the story of its discovery

The word “compass” itself comes from the ancient British “compass”, meaning “circle”. Most modern historians claim that the compass was invented in China in the 1st century. BC e. Although there is evidence that this device existed back in the 2nd millennium BC. e. In any case, then the compass was a small piece of magnetized metal, which was attached to a wooden strip located in a vessel with water. This type of compass was used when moving through deserts. It was also used by astrologers.

The history of the discovery of the compass says that it appeared in the Arab world in the 8th century, and in the 12th century only. The Italians were the first to adopt this device from the Arabs. Then the Spaniards, Portuguese and French began to use the compass. The last to learn about the new device were the Germans and the British. But even at that time, the design of the compass remained as simple as possible: a magnetic needle was attached to a plug and lowered into the water. It was in the water that the plug, complete with an arrow, was oriented accordingly. In the 11th century Still in China, a compass needle appeared, which was made from an artificial magnet. As a rule, it was made in the shape of a fish.

The history of the creation of the compass continued in the 14th century. The baton was taken up by the Italian F. Gioia, who managed to significantly improve this device. In particular, he decided to put a magnetic needle on a vertical pin. This seemingly simple device helped to significantly improve the compass. In addition, a reel was attached to the arrow, divided into 16 points. Two centuries later, the division of the coil was already 32 points, and the box with the arrow began to be placed in a special gimbal. Thus, the ship's rocking ceased to affect the compass. In the 17th century The compass was equipped with a rotating ruler, which helped to more accurately measure the direction. In the 18th century he had a direction finder.

But the story of the creation of the compass does not end there. In 1838, a way was found to neutralize the influence of the ship's iron products on this device. And in 1908, a gyrocompass appeared, which became the main navigation device. It is he who always points to the north. Today, the exact direction of travel can be determined using satellite navigation, however, many ships are equipped with them for additional checks or in case of technical problems. Thus, the history of the creation of the compass goes back not even hundreds, but thousands of years.

Despite the semi-mythical references to the navigation device among the ancient Chinese, Samothraces and Greeks, a more interesting question is - who invented the compass and when in its modern form? If in the 12th – 13th centuries this device was a magnetized needle inserted into a piece of cork tree bark floating in water, then around 1300 a resident of the Italian city of Amalfi, the then famous captain Flavio Gioia, gave this navigational and geographical accessory the appearance of maximum close to modern. He put a magnetized arrow on the tip of a needle and placed this design in a round box, on the bottom of which 16 points were marked. Two centuries later, sailors began to use thirty-two point compasses. To increase the accuracy of navigation observations in the 17th century, the device was equipped with a “sight”, which consisted of two diametrically opposed sights mounted on a freely rotating ruler, which had a center of rotation above the needle of the magnetic needle.

At the same time, the compass received many useful additions, one of which is considered to be a gimbal suspension, which reduces the influence of the ship’s pitching on

instrument arrow readings.

Where was the gyroscopic compass invented?

The first gyroscopic compass was patented in 1908 by German engineer Hermann Anschutz-Kempfe. Its readings do not depend on the location of the Earth's magnetic poles, and it is not subject to magnetic storms and geomagnetic anomalies. Today gyroscopic navigation