In 1595, John Davis invented the backstaff, a navigation tool that allowed sailors to take solar observations without looking directly at the sun. This innovation improved the safety and accuracy of maritime navigation, particularly in the age of exploration. The backstaff's design represented a significant advancement in navigational technology, contributing to more reliable sea travel.

The refinement of the backstaff navigation tool in 1595 improved safety at sea, enriching accounts that inspired exploratory poetry. This advancement allowed poets like John Milton to weave themes of discovery and the vastness of the ocean into their works, particularly in 'Paradise Lost'.