Harrison's legacy paved the way for modern navigation techniques from "summary" of Longitude by Dava Sobel
John Harrison's revolutionary timekeeping devices, such as the marine chronometer, played a crucial role in solving the longstanding problem of determining longitude at sea. By accurately measuring time, Harrison's inventions enabled sailors to calculate their longitude with precision, thus improving navigation at sea. Prior to Harrison's innovations, sailors had to rely on less accurate methods like dead reckoning and celestial navigation, which often led to disastrous consequences such as shipwrecks and lost lives. Harrison's meticulous craftsmanship and dedication to accuracy set a new standard for timekeeping technology, paving the way for modern navigation techniques. His marine chronometers were not only reliable and precise but also compact and durabl...
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