The compass was invented in China during the Han Dynasty between the 2nd century BC and 1st century AD where it was called the "south-governor" or "South Pointing Fish" (sīnán 司南). The magnetic compass was not, at first, used for navigation, but for geomancy and fortune-telling by the Chinese.
However, it is believed Flavio Gioia first invented the refined compass, and a monument has been erected in Almafi Italy to honor his invention. The magnetic compass was probably developed by combining the wind rose and the lodestone. From this device, it is supposed the compass rose evolved.
The compass was invented in China during the Han Dynasty between the 2nd century BC and 1st century AD where it was called the "south-governor" or "South Pointing Fish" (sīnán 司南). The magnetic compass was not, at first, used for navigation, but for geomancy and fortune-telling by the Chinese.
However, it is believed Flavio Gioia first invented the refined compass, and a monument has been erected in Almafi Italy to honor his invention. The magnetic compass was probably developed by combining the wind rose and the lodestone. From this device it is supposed the compass rose evolved.
A compass works by detecting and responding to the Earth's natural magnetic fields. The Earth has an iron core that is part liquid and part solid crystal, due to gravitational pressure. It is believed that movement in the liquid outer core is what produces the Earth's magnetic field.','.
