magnetic north
5.The compass was invented in China. As early as in the Warring States Period (450 B.C.-221 B.C.), a magnet was used as a device that pointed to magnetic north, and this device was named “Si Nan” by the ancient Chinese. In the Northern Song Dynasty (960 A.D.-1127 A.D.), another device was invented with a magnetic iron needle that pointed to magnetic north, and this device was later used in navigation. The compass was introduced to Europe in the 13th century.


