Jo Apr 7, 2024

Kyuhyonginjiui, the first surveying instrument invented in Korea in 1467, was used to identify targets and directions on the ground and measure heights and distances.

It was also called injiui.

The instrument consists of two parts; a vertical axis and a horizontal scale plate that revolves around the axis vertically.

Kyuhyong, a device for aiming at target objects is attached to the axis, goes up and down vertically.

There are 24 directions inscribed on the plate for direction finding.

You can aim at any objects by turning the vertical axis round and moving kyuhyong up and down along the axis.

The compass installed on the instrument helped correct aiming.

Kyuhyonginjiui survey was, in principle, the same as present plane table surveying.

Such instrument for surveying was not found in European countries until the late 16th century, and a similar one to Kyuhyonginjiui was finally built in a German factory in the 17th century.

The fact that Korean ancestors made and used such a surveying instrument as Kyuhyonginjiui a century before other countries demonstrates their high creative wisdom and talent.