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The Longitude Board played a crucial role in evaluating solutions from "summary" of Longitude by Dava Sobel

The Longitude Board, a group of experts appointed by the British government, was tasked with evaluating proposed solutions to the longitude problem. This was a crucial role, as the board had the responsibility of determining which methods were worthy of further development and which should be discarded. The board members were chosen for their expertise in various fields, including astronomy, mathematics, and navigation, giving them the necessary knowledge to assess the technical aspects of the proposed solutions. When evaluating solutions, the Longitude Board considered a variety of factors, such as accuracy, reliability, and practicality. They examined the scientific principles behind each method, as well as the feasibility of implementing them on a large scale. In some cases, they conducted tests to verify the claims made by the inventors. This rigorous evaluation process ensured that only the most promising solutions would be recommended for further testing and eventual implementation. One of the most famous cases of the Longitude Board's evaluation process was their assessment of John Harrison's marine chronometer. Despite initial skepticism from some board members, Harrison's invention ultimately proved to be the most accurate and reliable method for determining longitude at sea. The board's endorsement of the chronometer was a turning point in the quest for a solution to the longitude problem, leading to its widespread adoption by navigators around the world.
  1. The Longitude Board's role in evaluating solutions was essential to the success of the longitude project. Their thorough and impartial assessments helped to separate the viable methods from the impractical ones, paving the way for the eventual resolution of one of the greatest scientific challenges of the 18th century.
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Longitude

Dava Sobel

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