The lateen sail was invented around 100.
how did the lateen sail help the european explorers
a trangular sail
A type of sail
The lateen is believed to have been used in the Eastern Mediterranean as early as the 2nd Century ce (common ear). The effective use by the Arabs caused it's rapid spread through the Mediterranean. The lateen sail was so popular because its ability to sail into the wind. Prior to the lateen a majority of sea vessels used square sails (which one can imagine wouldn't sail into the wind very effectively). The lateen made up a majority of ship sails during the Age of Discovery (When Columbus discovered the Americas). The lateen made it possible to sail faster, farther, and more efficiently. An elite ship during the Age of Discovery was the caravel, its elite status can be attributed to how effectively it utilized the lateen sail.
A lateen sail. Was/is able to be moved left or right. It made/makes ships easier to turn.
Allegedly, the lateen sail design made it possible to sail closer into the wind. That is, less than 45 degrees from the direction the wind is blowing. No sail boat can sail directly into the wind. Yet.
It is called the lateen sail.
in polynesia
A three sided sail is known as a Lateen sail or also a triangular sail. With a four sided sail one is only able to sail against the wind, but with a Lateen sail it is possible to sail more directly into the wind.
The Arabs used them
The lateen sail was used at the same time a square sail was used, but has different uses. The square sail is fine if you have a heavy boat and always fiind a wind that is blowing in the direction you want to go. Under such conditions, a lateen sail isn't much of an improvement. It was only once boats were made lighter (to faster get from the Atlantic to the Orient) that the triangular sails were an advantage. Also, if the wind is often blowing sideways to the way you want to go, a square sail, even if angled, doesn't work as well as a lateen sail. A triangular sail actually has a bit of lift to it so you can point your boat closer to the eye of the wind and still sail. This makes it ideal for sailing in and out of harbors and along the coasts. So small boats orginated the lateen sail for dexterity.