Which mechanism limited reliable transatlantic voyages before fore-and-aft sails?

💡 Explanation

Square-rigged sails primarily harness wind from behind because their geometry limits sailing against the wind, therefore long eastward voyages aided by trade winds were feasible, rather than overcoming prevailing westerly winds which demanded more versatile sail technology.

• Which consequence resulted from trebuchet calibration errors during medieval sieges?
• Which benefit resulted from the Aztec 'milpa' system's integration of maize with beans and squash?
• Which unintended consequence occurred as pinhole cameras allowed Alhazen to better safely study solar eclipses, relying only on geometrical observations of light?
• Which outcome accelerated crossbow adoption due to modular design?
• Which advancement did Al-Khwarizmi's work on 'Hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala' enable for land surveying in Baghdad's irrigation systems?
• Which consequence arises from insufficient carbon removal during crucible steel production for Damascus blades?