During this time, around 1588, the English defeated the Spanish Armada, and the routes opened up to America and other countries that became British settlements for many years. As sea voyages became common, British ships relied on the wonderful magnetic compass for navigation. Although the magnetic compass was popular, nobody knew how it worked. There were different speculations by different great minds about magnetism. While Columbus thought the Pole Star attracted it, Odyssey mentioned a magnetic mountain in the pole that would remove all iron fittings and nails of the ship if the sailors moved too close to the pole. Since there was no concrete work on magnetism, Gilbert worked on different experiments to gain an understanding of the field for twenty years. Some of his notable works include Magnetic Bodies, On the Magnet, Great Magnet of the Earth, etc.
Gilbert's discovery was a significant turning point in modern physics. He coined the word 'electric' and worked on the properties of electricity and magnetism to a great extent. He discarded the early superstitions related to magnetism through his work. On voyages, sailors strictly prohibited everyone not to eat garlic near a ship's compass as the popular belief was massaging garlic on the lodestone could neutralize the magnetism property. The sailors were afraid that even the whiff of garlic could disturb the functioning of the compass. Gilbert discovered several properties of magnets, and his findings confirmed that metals could be magnetized by rubbing plastic, fur, or other similar materials. Also, ordinary iron always attracts magnets. The attraction and repelling properties of the magnetic poles depend on polarity, and he named them the "south pole" and "north pole."
Although Gilbert made some notable discoveries while studying the properties of magnets, his contribution to the distinct relationship between electricity and magnetism is incomplete. In fact, a French guy named Du Fay completed the work on electrical charges. He discovered positive and negative charges of electricity. Gilbert studied this using jet and amber, but he could only conclude that articles with the electrical charges have similar properties to magnets. These objects attract small materials toward them.
Gilbert didn't remain confined to only the fields of magnets and electric. He disputed the early astronomical beliefs. Although he identified with Copernicus's views, he didn't stress the facts of whether or not the earth resides at the universe’s centre. However, he had his own beliefs and believed that the stars are not equally distant from the earth. He also believed that the solar system has planets that orbit around the stars.
Furthermore, he compared the earth to a massive magnet on the subject of magnets. This is the reason he used to justify why compasses mostly point towards north. Gilbert also connected the earth's polarity with the polarity of magnets and built a magnetic philosophy. In his view, the earth has a magnetic soul, which is why a spherical lodestone would not be stable if lined with the earth's poles.
Gilbert adopted an innovative scientific method, and in an era dominated by logic, he relied on experiments to find answers. Greek philosophers never took this approach before. Hence, this was a new school of thought. Gilbert introduced the idea of conducting scientific experiments.
Due to his contribution to magnetism and scientific attitude, a unit of magneto motive force was named after him. Before him, there was no significant work or development of ideas about magnetism. His experimental approach and observation to deduce results laid the foundation of modern science. Leaving behind some crucial contributions to pave the path towards modern science and vast knowledge in the field of magnetism, Gilbert died on November 30, 1963.