Why Ships and Planes Use ‘Knots’ Instead of Miles per Hour

Video Description

In this video, we explore the incredible story behind the word “knot”—a term that has survived for centuries and is still used today to measure speed at sea and in the sky. Long before GPS, radar, or digital instruments existed, sailors relied on ropes, wooden logs, and sandglasses to calculate how fast their ships were moving across the open ocean. You’ll discover how a simple rope with evenly spaced knots became one of the most reliable tools in navigation history—and why this ancient method was accurate enough to shape global travel. From the age of wooden sailing ships to modern jets cruising at high altitude, the knot has remained a universal language of speed for sailors and pilots alike. This journey through maritime history reveals how human ingenuity, problem-solving, and necessity transformed everyday materials into a measurement system that connects our past with the modern world. It’s a story of exploration, science, and the quiet brilliance behind things we often take for granted. If you enjoy videos about history, science, language, and the hidden stories behind everyday concepts, this video is made for you. ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:03 – Introduction: What does “knot” really mean? 1:01 – Life at sea before modern navigation tools 1:46 – The invention of the log line and why it worked so well 2:59 – Counting knots: how sailors measured speed 4:18 – Nautical miles explained and their link to knots 4:57 – From sailing ships to airplanes: knots in the modern age 6:00 – The deeper meaning and symbolism of the word “knot” 7:16 – Final thoughts: the lasting legacy of a simple invention #KnotSpeed #MaritimeHistory #NauticalMiles #ScienceExplained #OceanKnowledge #NavigationHistory #SeafaringLife #AviationFacts #EverydayScience #WordOrigins #EducationalContent #HistoryExplained #SailingStories #NauticalScienc;