A gimbal is a pivoted support that permits rotation of an object about an axis. A set of three gimbals, one mounted on the other with orthogonal pivot axes, may be used to allow an object mounted on the innermost gimbal to remain independent of the rotation of its support. For example, on a ship, the gyroscopes, shipboard compasses, stoves, and even drink holders typically use gimbals to keep them upright with respect to the horizon despite the ship's pitching and rolling.
Cardan suspension in Villard de Honnecourt's sketchbook (ca. 1230)
Early modern dry compass suspended by gimbals (1570)
A Baker-Nunn satellite-tracking camera on an altitude-altitude-azimuth mount
NEWTON S2 gimbal for remote control and 3-axis stabilization of a RED camera, Teradek lens motors and Angénieux lens
A gyroscope is a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. It is a spinning wheel or disc in which the axis of rotation is free to assume any orientation by itself. When rotating, the orientation of this axis is unaffected by tilting or rotation of the mounting, according to the conservation of angular momentum.
Gyroscope designed by Léon Foucault in 1852. Replica built by Dumoulin-Froment for the Exposition universelle in 1867. National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts museum, Paris.
A digital gyroscope module connected to an Arduino Uno board