Technology in the ages of discovery
Technology in the ages of discovery Explorers during the age of discovery needed tools to help them accomplish their goals of discovering new lands. Without new technology, explorers would not be able to navigate the seas and oceans well enough to discover places like the new world. one of the tools was a change in the design of ships. The new ship design was called ”The Caravel”. This ship was invented by the Portuguese and was based on an original Arab ship design. The Caravel was easy to maneuver. It had lateen sails that made it much faster than the other ships. The Caravel made it possible to sail without staying close to the coastline. Adopting a stern post rudder made the ship more maneuverable, easier to steer, and easier to keep the course. Better ships let the explorers sail long distances, But they needed tools to help them navigate.The astrolabe was an invention that helped sailors tell where the ship was by using the lines of latitude and the altitude of the sun during the day and the polar star at night. The Nonius device was also invented. Sailors used it to take down fine measurements from the astrolabe and made the astrolabe more accurate. Another invention that helped explorers navigate the seas was the printing press. The printing press explorers could take books, charts, and maps with them on the voyages. The maps and charts could also be mass printed. With the invention of the printing, press explorers use the same maps and charts so there could be less of a chance of error when navigating the seas. All of these inventions made it possible for explorers to discover new lands more easily and safely. These inventions also made it possible for explorers to map the world. The new world was discovered by mistakes, but these inventions made it possible for explorers to map that area of the world and keep going back there.
Indeed, the Age of Discovery was a period of great advancements in technology that significantly aided explorers in their journeys. The inventions and innovations you mentioned played crucial roles in enabling these explorers to venture into unknown territories and navigate the seas more effectively. Here’s a summary of the key technological developments during this era:
1. Caravel Ship: The caravel was a new ship design that emerged during the Age of Discovery. It was developed by the Portuguese, based on earlier Arab ship designs. The caravel was highly maneuverable and featured lateen sails, which made it faster than traditional ships. This design allowed explorers to sail further from the coastline, enabling long-distance exploration.
2. Stern Post Rudder: The adoption of the stern post rudder greatly improved ship maneuverability. Compared to earlier forms of steering, such as quarter rudders or side rudders, the stern post rudder made it easier to steer the ship and maintain the desired course. This innovation contributed to safer and more precise navigation.
3. Astrolabe: The astrolabe was an essential navigational instrument used by sailors to determine the ship’s position at sea. It relied on the lines of latitude and the altitude of celestial bodies, such as the sun during the day and the polar star at night. By measuring these angles, sailors could calculate their latitude and estimate their position accurately.
4. Nonius Device: The nonius device, also known as the vernier scale, was developed as an accessory to the astrolabe. It allowed for more precise measurements, enhancing the accuracy of navigational calculations. The nonius device enabled sailors to take more detailed readings from the astrolabe, improving the reliability of their navigational data.
5. Printing Press: The invention of the printing press revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge, including maps, charts, and books. Explorers could now carry printed materials with them on voyages, making navigation and exploration more accessible. The ability to mass-produce maps and charts reduced the likelihood of errors and provided consistent references for sailors during their expeditions.
These technological advancements greatly facilitated exploration, mapping, and navigation during the Age of Discovery. They allowed explorers to sail further, discover new lands, and accurately document their findings. Without these tools and innovations, the exploration of the “new world” and the mapping of previously unknown areas would have been considerably more challenging, if not impossible.
