The lateen sail was invented around 100.
in polynesia
a Lateen Sail
The triangular sail was invented beginning in the 16th century. They were first seen in the Mediterranean as single yarded lateen sails.
how did the lateen sail help the european explorers
a trangular sail
A type of sail
It is called the lateen sail.
The triangular lateen sail dominated the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages. The earliest evidence of it is in the 1st century BCE on a wall painting in Alexandria.
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 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.