A compass is one old-school item you may wish to add to your everyday carry. Here’s why!
When getting from point A to point B, compasses seem to pale in comparison to modern navigation devices such as GPS. However, the usefulness of a compass will never diminish.
Unless you were a Boy Scout, you may be unfamiliar with how to read and utilize a compass. Heck, even today’s Scouts may look at a compass without the first clue on how to properly use it.
Starting with the history of the compass, I invite you to read and learn about how they work, how they have evolved, and the importance of the compass today and in the future.
The Compass: A History
Most likely, when you think about a compass, you imagine a circular, handheld device that points to true north. This design has been consistent since the magnetic compass’ assumed inception. The Chinese created the first compass for navigation between the 11th and 12th centuries.
Before manmade magnetism, had to use the natural environment to find their way.
For example, ants yearn for the sun and often tend to build their anthills on the south side of trees or other structures to increase their colony’s sun exposure. Thus, if you can find south, you can determine the general north direction.
In naval navigation, where moss or anthills are significantly more difficult to find, travelers relied on the stars to guide their way. Famously, the North Star, which you can easily find using the Big Dipper constellation, is always aligned with the Earth’s North Pole (hence the name).
Several other stars and constellations provide valuable information when it comes to navigation. Some organizations, like the U.S. Navy, utilize recognized star charts for a reference to star alignment and positioning.
Compasses provide more reliable navigational information on both land and sea. As I mentioned, historians attribute China to be the compass’ inventor, with artifacts dating back to 220 BC.
At this point, early navigators used naturally occurring magnetic metals in their compasses. It took explorers and scientists hundreds of years to discover how to magnetize metals, like smaller iron needles, to mass-produce and fine-tune compasses.
Skipping ahead over a millennium, Swedish inventor, Bjorn Kjellstrom fathered the modern compass. Until 1932, compass needles moved freely about the compass base, resulting in inconsistent results between compasses and real-time inaccuracies.
Kjellstrom, among others, devised a way to restrain the compass needle with a protractor built into the compass base.
Regarding their contribution to the improvement of the compass, the New York Times reported:
“Their invention made it faster and easier to use and read the compass. The protractor baseplate allowed users to take more accurate bearings from maps. The brittle magnetic needle stopped moving in the compass liquid within four seconds as opposed to up to 30 seconds in older compasses.”
The effect of stabilizing the compass’ base improved overall functionality, and, practicality. Kjellstrom’s enhancements are the foundation of the compasses commonly traded today.
Compasses in Religion and Folklore
For many individuals and groups, the compass represents more than just a navigational device. For example, the “Viking Compass”, Vegvísir (literally, “way shower”), depicts a runic stave, pointing in 8 directions.
First recorded in the Huld Manuscript, this symbol actually comes much after the Vikings, but due to its rune-like appearance, received the moniker of the “Viking Compass”.
Originally used on signposts and other stationary landmarks to indicate direction. Today, the Vegvísir appears in video games, movies, and TV shows. It’s also a symbol used frequently in tattoos, demonstrating a more spiritual connection to finding one’s way.
In Islamic history and culture, members refer to the qibla, or Qiblah, as the direction towards the Kaaba in Mecca.
These days, devout Muslims utilize qibla compasses or online qiblas, like Google’s Qibla Finder in order to identify the proper direction for praying rituals (salaat). This sort of compass is unique because it guides people to a different, fixed location other than north.
“Mihrab” refers to an architectural element of mosques — often a niche — that points towards the qibla (or in other words, the direction to Mecca).
Compasses in Video Games
In 2024, compasses can be accessed anywhere. Almost all modern smartphones have a built-in compass application, right on the device. GPS systems, both standalone and on mobile devices display a compass to aid in directions.
Even tactical video games have adopted an on-screen compass delineating what direction the character model is facing, in order to better identify and explore the in-game surroundings.
However, in the physical world, here are a few applications where a well-tuned compass will come in handy.
Using a Compass When Orienteering
In addition to the betterment of compasses, Kjellstrom brought the sport of orienteering to the United States, founding the United States Orienteering Federation in 1971. Orienteering consists of timed, navigational challenges, designated on an orienteering map.
The sport pushes athletes of all backgrounds to challenge both their body and their brains.
For many, orienteering enhances the outdoor experience of something like running. However, many orienteers compete without the foot race element.
The Role of the Compass in Surveying and Mining
Now imagine, orienteering — except you get paid. Ok, maybe it is not quite like orienteering, but surveying presents another perfect example of when you would need a compass.
Famously, George Washington worked as a public land surveyor. Washington was so talented that he obtained the position of county surveyor by age 17.
Surveyors must understand how to read and use a compass to accurately determine the direction of bearings or lines along the Earth’s surface. Even today, compass surveying often provides better data than their GPS counterparts.
In mining, compasses are used to establish the direction of tunnels and exploration paths. Miners can use surveying compasses to determine the angle and distance of mine structures.
Compass Use by Geologists
Geologists use compasses to measure the orientation of rock layers, faults, and geological structures.
In fact, geologists will more than likely opt for geological compasses, which feature a backing scale, an inclination measuring plate, and a level.
Parts of a Compass
In order to read a compass properly, let’s identify the parts of a compass and the terms related to compass navigation.
While there may be some variance from compass to compass, generally, a standard, modern compass consists of these parts.
Needle
The most recognizable part of a compass is the magnetic needle (usually red, black, or half and half) that rotates freely. It aligns itself with the Earth’s magnetic field, pointing toward magnetic north.
Magnetic North
The place the compass points to, that varies with the constantly shifting magnetism of the Earth.
True North
A fixed point, often called the geographic north, that maps and directions are based on.
Declination
Magnetic declination refers to the angle between true north and magnetic north.
Baseplate
This is the flat, transparent part of the compass that houses the needle. It often has a ruler or scale for measuring distances on maps.
Direction of Travel Arrow
A marked arrow on the baseplate that you align with your desired direction of travel.
Bearing
The horizontal angle relative to actual location compared to north.
Degree Dial
A circular dial around the housing of the needle, marked in degrees from 0 to 360 allows you to determine your bearing.
Index Line
A line on the baseplate that you align with the degree dial to read your bearing accurately.
Orienting Arrow
An arrow on the baseplate is used for orienting the compass with a map by aligning it with the map’s north-south grid lines.
Orienting Lines
Lines on the baseplate parallel to the orienting arrow, aiding in aligning the compass with map features.
Reading the Compass
To read a compass accurately, start by holding it flat in your hand, ensuring it’s level to the ground and the direction of the travel arrow is pointing away from you.
Look for the magnetic needle inside the compass; it’s usually red or has a red end, indicating north. The opposite end of the needle points to the south.
After that, turn the compass housing, which is the outer ring with degree marks, until the magnetic needle’s north end and the orienting arrow line up. By doing this, the compass is appropriately oriented, and the degree indications indicate the way you are facing.
Rotate your body until the magnetic needle’s north end lines up with the orienting arrow once more to read a bearing.
Next, observe that the compass housing’s degree indication is in line with the journey arrow’s direction. You can use this information to determine your target’s bearing or direction.
Adjust for declination, the difference between magnetic and true north, as necessary. While some compasses feature an integrated tool for declination adjustment, others allow manual adjustments.
Now, there are times when a compass does not work, and it may not be your fault. Artificially magnetic material, say, an iron monolith, will interfere with a compass reading.
How to Make a DIY Compass
Now, whether you are a survival enthusiast or just someone who wants to build a compass, here is one fun way you can takeyour bearings with easy-to-find materials.
First, you need some kind of metal object to serve as the needle. Simple, ready options include sewing needles or razor blades.
Next, you will need to magnetize the needle by either tapping it, rubbing it, or using a magnet, if available.
To magnetize via tapping, tap the needle on one end with either a steel or iron object fifty or more times. For the rubbing method, you can use your hair, animal fur, or silk. Rub the point of your needle in one direction one hundred times to magnetize.
Lastly, with an actual magnet at your disposal, you may magnetize your needle by rubbing the needle on the magnet about thirty times, in one direction.
Now, with a properly magnetized needle, suspend it in something like water. Allowing it to float atop a leaf will complete the magnet.
The needle will align itself north and south, and you can determine which is which by judging east and west based on the sun’s position.
Of course, getting this right can be tricky. Try this method out a few times before relying on it out in the wild.
FAQ
Here are answers to common compass questions:
Are all compasses created equal? Where should I buy a compass?
Earlier this article, we discussed Bjorn Kjellstrom, the man who brought and popularized orienteering in the United States. Kjellstrom also founded Silva Sweden AB, a premier compass manufacturer.
This would be a good place to start for high-quality, commercially available compasses.
However, the best type of compass for you depends on your needs.
Do compasses need to be calibrated?
You may want to manually adjust your compass for declination if you know the proper deviation, either found on the map you are using, prewritten declination charts, or online on sites like NOAA’s magnetic declination calculator.
Knowing How to Use a Compass is an Important Skill to Know
Compasses played a crucial role throughout history, aiding travelers, explorers, and navigators in finding their way across vast distances, both physically and spiritually.
From their humble origins as magnetic needles to their modern incarnations as sophisticated electronic devices (or in video games) compasses have remained an essential tool for orientation and navigation.
Their reliability, portability, and simplicity make them indispensable in various fields, including outdoor adventures, marine navigation, many modern jobs, and even in everyday life.
As technology advances, compasses continue to evolve, ensuring that humanity can always find its true north, both metaphorically and literally.
When was the last time you used a compass? Tell me about it in the comments!
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