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:
- Lateen sail: This triangular sail, developed by Arab sailors in the Middle East, allowed ships to travel against the wind, increasing their maneuverability.
- Sternpost rudder: Created in China in the thirteenth century, this rudder allowed ships to steer against the currents.
- 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.
- Magnetic compass: Originally from China, the magnetic compass was introduced to Europe in the fifteenth century, enabling sailors to navigate beyond sight of land.
- Improved navigational techniques: Europeans combined these inventions and techniques to confidently venture into the open ocean, expanding transoceanic exploration.