Scientific discoveries, continuous improvement of technical devices, the growth of human capabilities - all this leads to the replacement of old, do not meet the requirements of the latest devices with new ones.At the same time in the history of human civilization can find many inventions that are timeless.An example of this is the famous Beaufort scale.
Sailing has long been one of the most important human activities.It represents both an excellent means of communication and a source of new knowledge and, in a sense, the engine of progress.At the same time sailing and enjoyed a number of inconveniences, one of the most important of which is the inability to accurately determine the strength of the wind and the probability of a storm.In different countries there are different grading system, because of what often had disagreements.Beaufort Scale became a tool that allowed the problem.However, first things first.
course, the famous scale of wind force, received the name of the famous admiral and hydrographer Beaufort, appeared out of nowhere.For example, in the XVII century, the problem of creation and improvement of meteorological instruments involved ingenious British researcher Robert Hooke.He, in particular, belong to the idea of improving the barometer and the creation of so-called "watch the weather", which were used in complex data thermometer, rain gauge, barometer and anemometer.Among other things, Hooke invented a device that can be used to accurately determine the strength of the wind.If you look closely at it, we can see that the graduation of the Beaufort largely coincides with the division of this unit.
weather observation Beaufort started since 1793, and already 13 years later, he proposed the first model of the scale, which draws a parallel between the power of the wind and weather conditions.The first Beaufort scale had fourteen divisions, but a year later the scientist removed from it zero by combining the first and second characteristics.After 20 years, the British navy adopted this version, which is used in the UK today.In the world, this system began to assert itself since the mid 70-ies of the XIX century, when it was recommended by the First Meteorological Congress.
wind force on the Beaufort scale is measured in points, with each division corresponds to certain features of the sea state and the requirements of the gear on the ship.Subsequently, this graduation was postponed and on land, but it is used mainly specialists.
Beaufort Scale, of course, has undergone some changes.So, now it is divided into 17 degrees, and the number of sails on a ship at a particular wind, it does not go.At the same time, it has preserved its main distinguishing feature - the interdependence of wind and sea conditions.And most importantly its advantage is that it is recognized by all the maritime community, so now every sailor understand the prognosis, which is given at the exit of the ship from port.
