What compass - every schoolboy knows.Without it can not do geometry lessons, drawing.Sets Rulers have each student technical college.But who invented this instrument as there was a compass?The fact that it draws a circle - it is clear from the Latin word circulus, from which there was a name of the tool.When it appeared in the compass of humanity?
Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece
about how compasses appeared briefly narrate legends of ancient Greece.Each of us knows the story of Daedalus and his son Icarus.But few have heard that my grandfather was also a nephew, Talos, the son of his sister.Talent was inventive in their blood nephew left after his death, two rods connected to each other and able to plot a perfect circle.This was the first compasses.
Talos invented the potter's wheel, when he was only 12 years old.He also belongs to the establishment and saw: it his feat fish skeleton.If not for the death of Talos at a young age, many known to us the tools and mechanisms, there would be much earlier.But historians say that the tool at least 3 thousand years.The Assyrians and Babylonians used a ruler and compass in architecture, portraying the straight lines and right circles at the temples, the walls of houses, on the dishes and cups.Specific sources, a story about how there was a compass, the story does not name, but without it it was impossible to draw a perfect circle or three thousand years ago, not now.
Archeological finds
Archaeologists during excavations, are evidence of the ancient origin of the different compass.Studying ancient burial mound in France, archaeologists found an iron tool, which is not less than 2 thousand years.The buried under the ashes of the Greek city of Pompeii, it was the confirmation of the ancient compass: the ashes found a lot of these tools made of bronze.But in Russia there were similar findings: during excavations in Novgorod archeologists have found the compass - from tool steel.For what were Novgorod tools?In ancient times in Russia we loved patterns of regular circles, and they applied them with this tool.
about how there was a compass, the story of its origin in these places - all this is unknown.Trade relations with Byzantium were established Prophetic Oleg: thus, could appear in Russia, and other interesting tools.An interesting fact is that the design of the tool remained virtually unchanged.Over the centuries, the use of a compass, to its base were added only attachments that are strengthened and lengthened his lead leg.
Construction and architecture
modernization tool allows you to increase the circumference of up to 60 cm, with original growth compass - 12 cm. Those who are engaged in the design, drawings, very necessary compass: to build an arc, circle straight without him hard.In the ancient temples especially evident, that as long as there was a compass, design of buildings, domes was perfect.On the facade of the ancient Georgian churches of Mtskheta you can see the image of the hand of the architect, for which the tool is visible.
Architects, engineers, builders - the main users of the tool, without which nothing can not be built.Compass and square - a drawing device that works designers.Without them there would be created an arched structure, stained-glass windows in the churches of the Middle Ages: at Notre Dame or St. Vitus Cathedral - Prague.
variety of tools
How did a compass, a summary of all the legends of the invention described above.It is said, and that its design has remained unchanged.But one can not ignore the fact that there are many classic analog compass.They are intended not only for drawing circles, but also for other purposes.For example, a marker of compasses: use it to carry linear markings.Or calipers.It is needed in order to be able to draw a circle so small that diameter can be 2 mm.If you need a drawing made in ink, the pencil drawing pen can be easily replaced.
caliper - measuring circles of different diameters.To measure the scale of the map is required proportional compasses.Cartography, explorers, navigators - all use this unique tool.There is a tool called "navigational".
use in medicine
Since ancient times, how did compass it has not undergone major changes, but its scope has expanded considerably.Medicine - is the science that uses different types of tools.There is a stout pair of compasses, he is big and small.They serve to measure the body and human head, its transverse dimensions.With the caliper measured the thickness of subcutaneous fat.Very often it is used in obstetric practice: measured value of the pelvis of pregnant women.Weber's compass - it is a tool psychophysiologists: they measured the threshold of sensitivity of human skin.
Astronomy and symbolic use
on our sky and there is a constellation called "Compass."It is located in the southern hemisphere, very close to the constellation α-Centauri.It's very small.It is impossible to watch over the territory of Russia.Greek patron of astronomy - the goddess Urania, a symbolic designation as a globe and a compass.
Since then, as there was a compass, he became a symbol of justice.Like the square, the circle is outside straight lines.By itself, the figure of a circle with a dot in the center - it is the source of life and justice.Well-known to all bricklayers and masons, have taken their logo, two important engineering tool - square and compasses, aligning their images.They symbolize the earth and the heavens, and in the center - the letter «G»: geometry or the Supreme Being.
Chinese used the image of a compass, which symbolizes their correct behavior.The Chinese Emperor Fo-hi, who was considered the immortal attributes used in his compass, and his sister - a square.Together they stand for "yin" and "yang": the harmony of life.
Since ancient times the square was a symbol of the physical body, and the circle - his spiritual condition.Thus, the circle outlined with a compass - it is a symbol of perfection of the human soul.
