The scientific community was skeptical of Harrison's work from "summary" of Longitude by Dava Sobel
Harrison's claim that he could build a clock that would keep time at sea encountered immediate resistance from the scientific establishment. The idea that a humble clockmaker could solve the age-old problem of determining longitude seemed preposterous to many learned men. The scientific community was deeply skeptical of Harrison's work, dismissing it as the fanciful dream of an amateur. The prevailing wisdom at the time held that the solution to the longitude problem lay in the heavens, not in the workshop of a clockmaker. Astronomers and mathematicians had long believed that the key to determining longitude lay in observing the positions of the stars and planets. They thought that by carefully measuring the angles between celestial bodies, sailors could calculate their exact position on the globe. Harrison's assertion that a mechanical timepiece could achieve the same result flew in the face of centuries of received wisdom. The scientific community was...
Similar Posts
The book emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding science
The understanding of science is deeply intertwined with the historical context in which it develops. The book explores how the ...
Harrison's clocks were revolutionary in their precision
John Harrison's clocks were a marvel of precision. While the concept of measuring time accurately at sea might seem simple enou...
We need to balance technological advancements with ethical considerations in agriculture
In exploring the intricate world of agricultural biotechnology, it becomes evident that a delicate balance must be struck betwe...
The airpump experiments shaped scientific knowledge
The air-pump experiments were not just about the mechanical contrivance itself. They were about what the air-pump could reveal ...
Harrison faced numerous challenges in perfecting his chronometers
Harrison's journey to perfect his chronometers was far from smooth sailing. He encountered a multitude of obstacles along the w...
Rhetoric plays a crucial role in shaping scientific arguments
The use of rhetoric in shaping scientific arguments is not simply a matter of style; it is a fundamental aspect of how scientif...
Legacy of accurate timekeeping
In the quest to solve the problem of determining longitude at sea, one concept emerged as particularly crucial: accurate timeke...