It is believed that around 2000 BC the Chinese had already discovered the magnetic property of natural iron ore. In a part of Turkey formerly called Magnesia, there are deposits of an iron one which has the property of attracting iron. As this ore was discovered by Greeks they called it magnetite. This natural magnet was used by mariners for navigation and was called "Lodestone".
Substances like iron, steel, nickel and cobalt get attracted by a magnet. Such substances are called magnetic substances. On the other hand, substances like wood, rubber, glass, plastic etc. which are not attracted by a magnet are called non-magnetic substances. These substances cannot be magnetised either.
