The voyages of Columbus and da Gama were the early modern equivalent of the moon landing. They required new technologies, new ship designs, and new methods of seafaring. New technologies don't appear overnight. They evolve over a period of time. In this episode, I look at some of the major innovations that made long-distance ocean voyages possible: the mariner's compass, better navigational charts, the caravel with its lateen sails and stern-mounted rudder, and a better understanding of ocean wind patterns and currents. 


Links to resources
History of the Caravel
The Portuguese Caravel and European Shipbuilding by Martin Malcolm Elbl
The Volta do Mar
Compass: A Story of Exploration and Innovation by Alan Gurney
Portolan Charts before 1400 - British Library

Support the show

Find us on Substack. Both Free and Premium content is available:

https://substack.com/@itakehistorywithmycoffee

Podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/i-take-history-with-my-coffee/
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Comments and feedback can be sent to [email protected].
 You can also leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify.
Refer to the episode number in the subject line.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can help support my work to deliver great historical content.  Consider buying me a coffee:
I Take History With My Coffee is writing a history blog and doing a history podcast. (buymeacoffee.com)

Visit audibletrial.com/itakehistory to sign up for your free trial of Audible, the leading destination for audiobooks.

Intro Music: Hayden Symphony #39
Outro Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D

In 1498, Vasco da Gama sailed directly from Portugal to India around the southern tip of Africa.  His accomplishment and Columbus's would transform the world and usher in the age of true globalization.  In this episode, I discuss the background to da Gama's voyage.  I explain the impetus for the  Portuguese to seek a direct route to India starting in the 14th century.  I explain the role of Prince Henry the Navigator in this endeavor.  I also outline the major milestones of  Portuguese exploration along the west African coast.


Links to resources
Map of Portugal
Map of Portuguese discoveries
A Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da Gama 1497-1499 (The Project Gutenberg)
A History of Portuguese Overseas Expansion 1400–1668 by Malyn Newitt
The Career and Legend of Vasco da Gama by Sanjay Subrahmanyam

Intro Music: Hayden Symphony #39
Outro Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D

Support the show

Find us on Substack. Both Free and Premium content is available:

https://substack.com/@itakehistorywithmycoffee

Podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/i-take-history-with-my-coffee/
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Comments and feedback can be sent to [email protected].
 You can also leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify.
Refer to the episode number in the subject line.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can help support my work to deliver great historical content.  Consider buying me a coffee:
I Take History With My Coffee is writing a history blog and doing a history podcast. (buymeacoffee.com)

Visit audibletrial.com/itakehistory to sign up for your free trial of Audible, the leading destination for audiobooks.

Intro Music: Hayden Symphony #39
Outro Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D

Welcome to the I Take History With My Coffee podcast.  This podcast will explore everything about the Early Modern period.  In this introduction, I explain my motivation for creating this podcast as well as outline the goals and structure of the podcast.

Podcast website is https://www.podpage.com/i-take-history-with-my-coffee

Visit my blog at itakehistory.com and also on Facebook at I Take History With My Coffee.

Comments and feedback can be sent to [email protected]

Support the show

Find us on Substack. Both Free and Premium content is available:

https://substack.com/@itakehistorywithmycoffee

Podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/i-take-history-with-my-coffee/
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Comments and feedback can be sent to [email protected].
 You can also leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify.
Refer to the episode number in the subject line.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can help support my work to deliver great historical content.  Consider buying me a coffee:
I Take History With My Coffee is writing a history blog and doing a history podcast. (buymeacoffee.com)

Visit audibletrial.com/itakehistory to sign up for your free trial of Audible, the leading destination for audiobooks.

Intro Music: Hayden Symphony #39
Outro Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D