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The compass that helped pave the way for westward expansion in the US

A compass used by Lewis and Clark on their expedition to explore the American West is owned by the Smithsonian and is part of NPR's 250th anniversary series, America In Pursuit.

Copyright 2026 NPR

Andrew Limbong is a reporter for NPR's Arts Desk, where he does pieces on anything remotely related to arts or culture, from streamers looking for mental health on Twitch to Britney Spears' fight over her conservatorship. He's also covered the near collapse of the live music industry during the coronavirus pandemic. He's the host of NPR's Book of the Day podcast and a frequent host on Life Kit.
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