> What do you call a naturally magnetized piece of mineral?And the answer: a lodestone. Taken from the mineral known as magnetite, a lodestone is a naturally occurringmagnet and can attract metal. Some historians believe that more than 1,000 yearsago, scientists in China created the first compass by rubbing a piece of ironagainst magnetite, causing it to point north and south.Photo credit: buylodestones.com[https://www.buylodestones.com/crystal-lodestone.htm].The powerful magnetism ofthe lodestone is indeed an ancient phenomena. These highly rare stones werefirst empirically analyzed by a 16th century scientist named William Gilbert –who was among the first to generate substantial evidence for the existence ofour Earth's magnetic poles – yet knowledge of lodestones and magnetites datesback even further. According to Greek legend, naturally occurring magnetic rockswere first discovered by a shepherd whose sandals suddenly stuck to the ground.The iron nails in his sandals had become attracted to a magnetic rock, whichsoon earned the name "Magnetite" after Magnesia, where it was found. Also knownas lodestone, the rock was highly prized for its magnetic properties. In ancient Egypt, magnetism was used to perform tricks and visually impressivefeats. With the help of a few strategically placed magnets, objects of worshipwere made to float in mid-air or appear suspended by an unseen force. Meanwhile,lodestones were used to help defend the emperor's palace in China. Bymagnetically charging the palace gates, armies clad in metal and equipped withsteel-tipped arrows stood no chance – their weapons were rendered uselessagainst magnetic forces. Today, lodestones are still used to orient compasses and magnetize steelneedles. They are also often used in classrooms for their demonstrable qualitiesof magnetism. Learn more about this fascinating rock here[https://nationalmaglab.org/education/magnet-academy/history-of-electricity-magnetism/museum/lodestone].