Re-discussion on“Was Sinan a Magnetic Ladle”
Bingzheng Liu · Studies in the History of Natural Sciences · 2006
In 1948,Mr.Wang Zhen-duo put forward that sinan or zhinan in ancient Chi- nese documents was a magnetic ladle.This view was quickly accepted by many people.But the author thinks that there exist many problems or difficulties with Wang's view.Since 1956,the author had written several papers to query the validity of this opinion,and proposed a new opin- ion which considered sinan as the Great Dipper.Quoting the classics,Mr.Dai Nianzu,a faith- ful follower of Wang Zhen-duo,recently published an article,in which he attempted to further prove sinan to be a magnetic ladle.After making a serious study of Dai's article,the author found his discussion and arguments turned out to be invalid.In this paper,as a reply to Mr. Dai,the author also further explains his opinion and points out the difficulties and contradic- tions in the opinion of a magnetic ladle.