How William Gilbert Discovered that Earth is a Great Magnet

by Darcy Pattison

The compass needle always pointed north.

This simple observation sent William Gilbert deep into research about magnets. William's insatiable curiosity led him to collect lodestones from all over the world, conducting fascinating experiments that debunked myths and revealed astonishing facts about magnets.

But he kept coming back to the question of why the compass needle pointed north. He finally concluded that Earth itself is “a great magnet.”

Gilbert’s research led to a book about magnetism and earned him the name, the Father of Magnetism. Come on a journey of curiosity to discover the wonder of magnets and Earth’s magnetic mysteries.

MOMENTS IN SCIENCE

MAGNET joins eight other books in award-winning Moments in Science series that focuses on small moments that changed science.