113k views
3 votes
Name five technological innovations that helped to increase transoceanic exploration.

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Technological innovations such as the lateen sail, sternpost rudder, astrolabe, magnetic compass, and improved navigational techniques helped increase transoceanic exploration in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, European exploration of the Atlantic Ocean was made possible by several technological innovations:

  1. Lateen sail: This triangular sail, developed by Arab sailors in the Middle East, allowed ships to travel against the wind, increasing their maneuverability.
  2. Sternpost rudder: Created in China in the thirteenth century, this rudder allowed ships to steer against the currents.
  3. Astrolabe: The ancient Greek astrolabe, refined in the Middle East, enabled mariners to find their north-south position on the earth's surface by using constellations as a guide.
  4. Magnetic compass: Originally from China, the magnetic compass was introduced to Europe in the fifteenth century, enabling sailors to navigate beyond sight of land.
  5. Improved navigational techniques: Europeans combined these inventions and techniques to confidently venture into the open ocean, expanding transoceanic exploration.

User Elby
by
8.0k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.