HUMAN NAVIGATOR OR BLACK BOX?

Lieutenant Commander Alton B. Moody

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	Navigation is as old as the human race. It began when curiosity led the first man to explore his surroundings. This most elementary navigation was a form of piloting, as both position and direction of travel were determined by reference to visual landmarks. Noah improved upon the methods of primitive man when he extended the effective range beyond the limits of visibility by using a dove which, when released, set out in search of land and returned with an olive leaf when the search was successful. Many centuries later the Vikings used a similar system, carrying a supply of ravens which were released when the vessel was believed to be near land. If the birds sighted land from their greater height of eye, they headed for it, thus indicating the bearing of the nearest shore.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 2, Number 7
Pages:	208 - 212
Cite this article:	Moody, Lieutenant Commander Alton B., "HUMAN NAVIGATOR OR BLACK BOX?", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 2, No. 7, 1950, pp. 208-212.
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