The longitude problem had a profound impact on maritime history from "summary" of Longitude by Dava Sobel
The quest for a reliable method to determine longitude at sea consumed the minds of the greatest minds of the age. The inability to accurately pinpoint one's location on the vast expanse of the ocean led to countless tragedies and losses. Ships would often veer off course, miss their destinations, or crash into unseen hazards lurking beneath the waves. The consequences of this problem were dire, affecting not only the lives of sailors but also the economies of nations reliant on maritime trade. The longitude problem was not just a theoretical puzzle; it was a practical issue that needed to be solved urgently. The lack of a reliable way to determine longitude meant that ships were essentially navigating blind, relying on imprecise methods such as dead reckoning and celestial observations. These methods were often inaccurate and could lead to disastrous consequences. The need for a solution to the longitude problem became increasingly urgent as maritime trade expanded and more ships set sail for dista...
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