NavList:

For some time, I have kept a spread sheet of important dates and events related to navigation. I make no claim to having researched this. When I see a date published related to the practice of celestial anvigation, I simply add it to the list.

So what's an 'event'?  For me, it's anything related to navigaiton - an invention, a published book or table method, an important voyage/flight, the use of a particular technique, a device, practice etc.

By it's very nature, this is an endless and imprecise task - where to start where to end? Worst yet, what was really important to navigation? And when did it really happen?

But all this aside, it's quite instructive to see the rapid acceleration of navigaiton technique, particularly driven by the expansion of world exploration, maritime commerce in the age of sail, the impact of world wars and growth of air travel. And now, space exploration.

There are some huge holes. Air, space and polynesian navigation are sadly lacking.  I have not included much on radio navigation such as direction finding or inventions that led up to GPS. Also missing are smaller items and tools such as the introduction of Rude Star Finder, Polhemus, E6B etc.

I hope others find this evolution interesting might want to add or subtract from the list.  I'm certainly willing to keep it up to date and repost as it evolves for any and all to use as they wish.

If you want to add something or see an error, just post or send private mail. All I need is: add/delete/correct, year and a short one-line comment. IF you feel a source or attribution is appropriate, add that too and I'll create the cross reference for the list entry.

If this chronology becomes clean and useful enough, perhaps it can be added to the NavList Resources tab for everyone to share.

Ed Popko