Francis Beaufort

Francis Beaufort was a British naval officer and hydrographer who created the Beaufort Wind Scale in the early 19th century. This scale categorizes wind speeds based on their effects on the sea and objects, ranging from calm to hurricane-force winds. It helps sailors and navigators estimate wind strength without precise instruments. Beaufort's scale improved safety at sea by providing a standardized way to describe wind conditions, and it remains widely used today in maritime and meteorological contexts.