Kilka uwag na temat historycznych początków współczesnej nawigacji – od statków morskich do statków powietrznych
Several Remarks on the Beginnings of Contemporary Navigation – from Sea Vessels to Airships

Summary/Abstract: For centuries people have dreamed of leaving the Earth, of soaring and feeling free. It would have been impossible for those eternal dreams to come true had it not been for the constant progress of human thought expressed in the incessant progress of science and technology based on the solid foundations of science, praxis, and the strivings of numerous generations. From the onset of aviation it was necessary to delineate the course in order to determine the direction of motion. This is the reason why use was made of the achievements of sailors, the first navigators and explorers of the Earth. In this article the author presented several remarks on the development of modern navigation, stressing that its beginnings go back to antiquity, when sea and ocean navigation was inaugurated and scholars interested in astronomy started to construct first instruments for the observation of celestial bodies. Next, he discussed the history of such devices as the compass, so-called Jacob’s staff, the astrolabe, the sextant, the logbook or the chronometer. All made a significant contribution to a better establishment of the ship’s position and determination of its course. A special role in the progress of navigation was performed by nautical charts – so-called portolan charts – created already in the thirteenth century. Successive pages of the article focus on the further advancement of astronomy and cartography, additionally accentuating the fact that together with the emergence of aviation use was made of the centuries-old experiences of nautics. By way of example, possessed knowledge is creatively transformed by, i.a. constructing airway beacons used in long-distance flights, particularly essential for night fights. Subsequent changes were the outcome of the application of radio navigation, while the use of electromagnetic waves and the beginnings of radiolocation proved to be a true milestone. The latest stage involves the development of satellite navigation.In his brief article the author attempted to present several remarks on the beginnings of contemporary navigation. By basing himself on the example of their history he also endeavoured to demonstrate man’s unwavering striving towards taming the forces of Nature and their use for his own purposes.

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