The first seaworthy gyrocompass was produced in 1908 by the firm of Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe in Germany. It was largely made possible through the efforts of Max Schuler, who developed the principles on which a practical shipborne gyrocompass depends. This compass was a marvel of mechanical ingenuity.

Why was the gyrocompass invented?

The gyrocompass was an important invention for nautical navigation because it allowed accurate determination of a vessel's location at all times regardless of the vessel's motion, the weather and the amount of steel used in the construction of the ship.

Where the gyrocompass is reliable up to?

Since gyrocompass was not relying on any magnetic readings, it could be safely used on metal-hull ships, although the reduced amount of rotation very near the polar regions would make even these devices unreliable. They would also work without issues during bad weather and night.