Solar compass

History

Burt's solar compass uses the location of the Sun with astronomical tables and enables surveyors to run more accurate lines, saving them much time. Burt had a model of his instrument built in 1835 by William James Young, a professional instrument maker. He then submitted this solar compass to a committee at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. They examined its characteristics and then awarded Burt twenty dollars in gold and the John Scott Medal for its technology. Burt patented his solar compass innovation on February 25, 1836. It has since been referred to as Burt's solar compass or astronomical compass. He used it in the 1836–1837 season to survey the fifth principal meridian in Iowa.