Overcoming technical obstacles from "summary" of Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel
The concept of overcoming technical obstacles is at the heart of the story of John Harrison and his quest to solve the problem of determining longitude at sea. Harrison faced numerous challenges as he worked to develop a reliable marine timekeeper that could accurately keep time on a moving ship. One of the main obstacles he encountered was the issue of maintaining accuracy in the face of constant motion and varying temperatures and humidity levels. These factors could cause traditional timepieces to become unreliable, making it difficult for sailors to determine their exact position at sea. To overcome these challenges, Harrison had to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions that had never been attempted before. He experimented with different materials and designs, eventually creating a series of marine chronometers that were able to withstand the rigors of life at sea. By combining his knowledge of clockmaking with his practical experience as a carpenter and blacksmith, Harrison was able to create a timepiece that was accurate, reliable, and durable enough to revolutionize navigation.
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