ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of navigation

Okay kiddo, let's talk about navigation!

Back in the olden days, people didn't have maps or GPS to tell them where to go. They had to figure out how to get places on their own.

One of the first ways people navigated was by looking at the stars. They would learn which direction they needed to go by looking at different constellations in the sky. They also watched the sun and the moon to help them figure out where they were and where they needed to go.

Another early method of navigation was using landmarks, like mountains or trees, to help guide them. People would also use things like rivers, streams, or the ocean to help them get where they needed to go.

As time went on, people started to develop tools to help them navigate. One of the earliest tools was called a compass. It was a device that used a magnet to show which direction was north. This helped people figure out which way they were facing and which way they needed to go.

Later on, people started to make maps. These were drawings that showed what the land looked like and helped people figure out where they were going. Maps got more and more detailed over time, and now we have maps that show us every street and building in a city!

Finally, in the modern age, we have GPS. This is a device that uses satellite signals to help us figure out exactly where we are and where we're going. With GPS, we can get turn-by-turn directions to almost anywhere we want to go.

So, as you can see, navigation has come a long way over time. But even today, people still use many of the same techniques that our ancestors used hundreds or thousands of years ago!