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'Gowin Knight' (born Corringham, Essex, England, 1713; d. June 8, 1772) was the inventor of a process for creating strongly magnetized steel in 1745. The magnetized steel was used in compasses for the needle. George Adams, a London instrument maker, was employed as agent for manufacturing Knight's compasses. He received the Copley Medal of the Royal Society in 1747. His improved compasses were adopted by the Royal Navy in 1752. He was also the first principal librarian of the British Museum from 1756.

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