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Nautical travel was changed for the better when the sextant was discovered in 1759 by John Bird. However, prior to the sextant being invented there were several other nautical navigational tools that allowed navigators to chart their departure from port to a certain destination. These other devices worked by using Polaris and the horizon to locate the latitude of their destinations. One of the earliest known methods to deduce the latitude from Polaris while sailing was to use the thumb and one or two finger lengths on an outstretched arm. To this end, several navigators used an arrow at arm's length to help them find the alturas. Among the earliest nautical devices used was the Kamal, invented by the Arabs. Both the Greeks and the Arabs were responsible for many of the astrological and astronomical advancements in science. It wasn't until the 10th century that Europe would be introduced to the breakthroughs in Arabic science, such as the astrolabe and the quadrant. After World War II, the C. Plath firm in Germany manufactured the design for the most modern advancements in sextants.

Because of these Greek and Arab advancements in astronomy and astrology, we are fortunate to have the navigational tools we do today. The breakthroughs that would come with innovations in technology led to a world of increased connections and stability. Just like the sextant was a breakthrough in modern technology at the time, the global positioning system is the modern equivalent. While this may be true, there are still many navigators that refuse to part with their sextants. Their criticism of GPS is profound, such as the unreliability in the technology. For example, GPS may lose service in an area where it needs to be used most, batteries may run out, or a satellite may go awry. For these reasons, true navigators carry with them a sextant and the know-how to find their way around without GPS technology.

When it comes to sextants for sale there are plenty of functional sextants and nautical decorations. For example, the 3" sextant is among one of the finer miniature brass sextants available online. Because of its small size, these sextants are extremely accurate. However, if you seek a larger sextant for a nautical decoration then you can find 4" sextants for sale. Many nautical decor sites have these sextants for sale in a 3 pound hardwood storage case complete with a brass anchor and rope insignia embedded on the top of the high quality wood finish. It is not unusual for these sextants to come with extra nautical decor, such as a miniature telescope that is capable of producing quality magnified images. Nautical decoration sextants for sale also include the brass sextant pen holder. The brass sextant pen holder makes a wonderful nautical decoration for classrooms and offices.

The background of the sextant is rather significant to the history of nautical culture. That explains why model ship collectors are interested in the many different sextants for sale. Whatever comes next in the line of navigation technology is not certain, though there is one thing to be certain of - whatever device comes along next, our world will be all the better for it.

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