Book 21, Question 76
How Did People First Discover the Compass?
The compass is one of the greatest tools ever invented. But nobody knows the exact day it was discovered. Here is the story of how people probably found it.
More fun facts
- Around 200 B.C., people in China noticed magnetic iron-oxide stones could help show direction.
- The first written description of a compass for sailing in Europe came in 1190.
- The compass was one of the biggest improvements ever to ocean navigation.
- Lewis and Clark used compasses to make maps on their journey west.
- William Clark's compass is now at the Smithsonian.
Sources: Smithsonian Magazine, NOAA Ocean Service
Questions kids ask
Where can you see Clark's compass?
It is at the Smithsonian, where it has been since 1933.