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Rudder

technology Maturity 9-11 Next article →

A rudder helps a boat or plane turn.

Olympic stern and rudder
Olympic stern and rudder

It is a flat part at the back. The rudder pushes against water or air. This makes the craft move in a new way.

Long ago, people used large oars to steer. These oars were on the side of the boat.

Rudder of a Roman Boat (RG Museum Koeln, Germany)
Rudder of a Roman Boat (RG Museum Koeln, Germany)

These oars could slow a boat down.

In China, people made a new kind of rudder. It was at the back of the boat.

Pottery boat from Eastern Han Dynasty showing rudder
Pottery boat from Eastern Han Dynasty showing rudder

This helped boats travel on the big ocean.

Some rudders have holes in them. These holes help the pilot steer better.

Now, we use wheels or pedals to turn them. It is a smart way to travel.

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🖼️ Images & Media (11)
File:Brosen propelersterntychy.jpg
Brosen propelersterntychy.jpg
File:Olympic stern and rudder.jpg
Olympic stern and rudder.jpg
File:Maler der Grabkammer des Menna 013.jpg
Maler der Grabkammer des Menna 013.jpg
File:Rudder of a Roman Boat (RG Museum Koeln, Germany).JPG
Rudder of a Roman Boat (RG Museum Koeln,...
File:Eastern Han pottery boat.JPG
Eastern Han pottery boat.JPG
File:Guo Zhongshu-Traveling on the River in Snow.jpg
Guo Zhongshu-Traveling on the River in Snow.jpg
File:Pottery boat from Eastern Han Dynasty showing rudder.jpg
Pottery boat from Eastern Han Dynasty...
File:Adler von Lübeck. Model ship 05.jpg
Adler von Lübeck. Model ship 05.jpg
File:RudderBereFerrersBenchEnd.jpg
RudderBereFerrersBenchEnd.jpg
File:Aileron yaw.gif
Aileron yaw.gif
File:MM00756-4.jpg
MM00756-4.jpg
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