Researched
Compass
The magnetic needle shows direction even in cloud and at night - deep-sea navigation becomes possible.
Open in the interactive tree →Shen Kuo described the magnetic needle in China in 1088; its use on ships is mentioned around 1117, in Europe around 1190. Together with sea charts and the astrolabe, compass ships replaced coastal sailing. Magnetism became the first natural force used systematically for navigation.
Prerequisites
- Sailing Ship~3200 BC
- Metallurgy (Bronze, Iron)~2500 BC