Quest for longitude from "summary" of Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel
The search for a solution to the problem of determining longitude at sea consumed the minds of many in the 18th century. Ships depended on accurate knowledge of their longitude to navigate safely across vast oceans. The lack of a reliable method for determining longitude led to countless shipwrecks and loss of life. The British government offered a substantial reward to anyone who could devise a method for accurately determining longitude. John Harrison, a self-taught clockmaker, dedicated his life to solving the problem of longitude. He believed that the key to accurately determining longitude lay in creating a clock that could keep precise time at sea. Harrison faced numerous challenges in his quest, including the skepticism of established astronomers and the limitations of technology at the time. Despite these obstacles, Harrison persevered in his work, meticulously crafting timepieces that were capable of keeping accurate time in the harsh conditions of the open sea. Harrison's clocks represented a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of horology. His marine chronometers were able to keep time with unprecedented accuracy, allowing sailors to determine their longitude with precision. Harrison's invention not only saved countless lives but also revolutionized navigation and exploration. The quest for longitude, once considered an insurmountable problem, had finally been conquered by the genius of one man. John Harrison's legacy as the lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time continues to inspire awe and admiration centuries later.
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