Earth as a magnet and De Magnete

What was discovered

Gilbert demonstrates with a terrella that the Earth is a great magnet, distinguishes magnetic attraction from electric attraction (coining 'electricus') and rejects magical explanations. It is the first physics treatise systematically based on experiments.

Peregrinus had already described magnetic poles in 1269.

What it led to

• Science of magnetism and geomagnetism
• Distinction between electricity and magnetism
• Experimental method (influenced Galileo and Bacon)
• Idea of action at a distance that inspired Kepler and Newton

Built on

• Chinese and European compass
• Petrus Peregrinus, Epistola de magnete (1269)

Made possible

• Dip compass
• Magnetic navigation charts
• Versorium (first electroscope)

📄 Original publication

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