![]() ![]() Then in the 13th century, the original compass, which simply consisted of a magnetised iron ‘fish’ floating in a bowl of water, was transformed by an Italian trader, who fixed a slimmer magnetised ‘needle’ to an axis. Tradition within the Middle East ascribes Ibn Majid with the invention of the navigator’s compass, however Chinese sailors had been using a form of the device since 500 years earlier. (age 79) Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab EmiratesĪt the age of 17 he was able to navigate ships, having memorised and gained an understanding of the path initiated by the Holy Quran, and having digested the navigational learnings of his father, Ibn Majid went to sea as a competent helmsman, using a rudder oar, and navigator, and from those humble beginnings, progressed quickly to the rank of ‘Master Mariner,’ or in Arabic ‘mu’allim.’ He spent most of his life in Muscat, which he described as the most well known port in the world of his era.
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