Science · Engineering & invention

Shen Kuo

Author and observer of magnetic phenomena

Also known as Shen Kua · 沈括

Later depiction · Image credit

Who they are

Shen Kuo was the author of Dream Pool Essays, which includes observations of magnetized needles and ways to suspend or support them. His comparison treated the behavior of the instrument as something to observe and test. The passage contributes to the timeline’s account of practical measurement and humanity’s expanding understanding of natural forces.

His magnetic-needle observations connect early empirical inquiry with later navigation and electromagnetism.

Selected contributions

Recorded magnetic-needle behavior and compared several support methods in Dream Pool Essays.Source ↗Source 2 ↗

Selected works

Primary text · c. 1088
夢溪筆談, 卷二十四 (Dream Pool Essays, chapter 24)
Author · Wikisource, transcription of the historical Chinese text
This passage records how magnetized needles behave and compares different ways to support them. It preserves an early observational treatment of magnetic direction and the practical problem of making a sensitive instrument.
The date refers to the historical Dream Pool Essays; the link is a modern Chinese transcription of chapter 24.
Full text ↗
Reading scope & citation
Reused prior inspected evidence: The specified Chinese primary-text paragraph inspected; no claim of independent manuscript collation.