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Four Great Inventions
- The Four Great Inventions (compass, gunpowder, paper, printing) significantly impacted the modern world.
- These inventions were recognized by prominent figures like Francis Bacon and Karl Marx for their transformative effects.
Compass Origins
- The compass, originating in 4th century BCE China, points south and was initially called "指南" (zhǐnán).
- The West first learned of the compass around 1190, likely without Arab intermediation.
Early Compass Design
- Early compasses resembled ladles made of lodestone, placed on a square bronze plate.
- This design symbolized heaven (circle) and earth (square), with the handle pointing south.