Longitude (1995) (edit title/settings)

Yaacov F edited the summary of Longitude Friday, March 11, 2011.

• 'Anyone"Anyone alive in the Eighteenth Century would have known that "the'the longitude problem"problem' was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day'day" (cover). John Harrison, a lower middle-class, tinkerer from England followed his passion which started with the design and build of large clock tower to the intricate mechanizations of a pocket-watch chronometer.

  Prior to Harrison's inventions sailors navigated semi-blindly via the stars, land marks, and even through the use of a healing powder and the time a wound would heal. The constant conflict between better known names such as Edmond Halley (founder of Halley's comet) and Isaac Newton, who sought solutions in the stars, provide intrigue. Perhaps the main villain in this account is Revrend Nevil Maskelyne, who supported the use of the stars as the only true method for discovering longitude.

  Inevitably, Harrison's "chronometer" won out. In fact, watch horologists around the world are still fascinated with the precision of the jewels that drove the H-4 timepiece. Originally a carpenter by trade, Harrison's passion for "capturing" time helped sailors to find the most accurate method to navigate the seas. Finally, mass production of chronometers was perfected by John Arnold. Eventually, Harrison's name slipped the history books, but it does deserve mention next to the such greats as Newton and Halley.

Yaacov F edited the summary of Longitude Friday, March 11, 2011.

• "Anyone'Anyone alive in the Eighteenth Century would have known that "the"the longitude problem"problem" was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day"day' (cover). John Harrison, a lower middle-class, tinkerer from England followed his passion which started with the design and build of large clock tower to the intricate mechanizations of a pocket-watch chronometer.

  Prior to Harrison's inventions sailors navigated semi-blindly via the stars, land marks, and even through the use of a healing powder and the time a wound would heal. The constant conflict between better known names such as Edmond Halley (founder of Halley's comet) and Isaac Newton, who sought solutions in the stars, provide intrigue. Perhaps the main villain in this account is Revrend Nevil Maskelyne, who supported the use of the stars as the only true method for discovering longitude.

  Inevitably, Harrison's "chronometer""chronometer" won out. In fact, watch horologists around the world are still fascinated with the precision of the jewels that drove the H-4 timepiece. Originally a carpenter by trade, Harrison's passion for "capturing""capturing" time helped sailors to find the most accurate method to navigate the seas. Finally, mass production of chronometers was perfected by John Arnold. Eventually, Harrison's name slipped the history books, but it does deserve mention next to the such greats as Newton and Halley.

Shelfari edited the summary of Longitude Saturday, January 23, 2010.

• "Anyone"Anyone alive in the Eighteenth Century would have known that "the"the longitude problem"problem" was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day"day" (cover). John Harrison, a lower middle-class, tinkerer from England followed his passion which started with the design and build of large clock tower to the intricate mechanizations of a pocket-watch chronometer.

  Prior to Harrison's inventions sailors navigated semi-blindly via the stars, land marks, and even through the use of a healing powder and the time a wound would heal. The constant conflict between better known names such as Edmond Halley (founder of Halley's comet) and Isaac Newton, who sought solutions in the stars, provide intrigue. Perhaps the main villain in this account is Revrend Nevil Maskelyne, who supported the use of the stars as the only true method for discovering longitude.

  Inevitably, Harrison's "chronometer""chronometer" won out. In fact, watch horologists around the world are still fascinated with the precision of the jewels that drove the H-4 timepiece. Originally a carpenter by trade, Harrison's passion for "capturing""capturing" time helped sailors to find the most accurate method to navigate the seas. Finally, mass production of chronometers was perfected by John Arnold. Eventually, Harrison's name slipped the history books, but it does deserve mention next to the such greats as Newton and Halley.

Jeffrey K edited the summary of Longitude Saturday, November 28, 2009.

• "Anyone alive in the Eighteenth Century would have known that "the longitude problem" was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day" (cover). John Harrison, a lower middle-class, tinkerer from England followed his passion which started with the design and build of large clock tower to the intricate mechanizations of a pocket-watch chronometer.

  Prior to Harrison's inventions sailors navigated semi-blindly via the stars, land marks, and even through the use of a healing powder and the time a wound would heal. The constant conflict between better known names such as Edmond Halley (founder of Halley's comet) and Isaac Newton, who sought solutions in the stars, provide intrigue. Perhaps the main villain in this account is Revrend Nevil Maskelyne, who supported the use of the stars as the only true method for discovering longitude.

  Inevitably, Harrison's "chronometer" won out. In fact, watch horologists around the world are still fascinated with the precision of the jewels that drove the H-4 timepiece. Originally a carpenter by trade, Harrison's passion for "capturing" time helped sailors to find the most accurate method to navigate the seas. Finally, mass production of chornomaterschronometers was perfected by John Arnold.Arnold. Eventually, Harrison's name slipped the history books, but it does deserve mention next to the such greats as Newton and Halley.

Jeffrey K edited the summary of Longitude Saturday, November 28, 2009.

• "Anyone alive in the Eighteenth Century would have known that "the longitude problem" was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day" (cover). John Harrison, a lower middle-class, tinkerer from England followed his passion which started with the design and build of large clock tower to the intricate mechanizations of a pocket-watch chronometer.

  Prior to Harrison's inventions sailors navigated semi-blindly via the stars, land marks, and even through the use of a healing powder and the time a wound would heal. The constant conflict between better known names such as Edmond Halley (founder of Halley's comet) and Isaac Newton, who sought solutions in the stars, provide intrigue. Perhaps the main villain in this account is Revrend Nevil Maskelyne, who supported the use of the stars as the only true method for discovering longitude.

  Inevitably, Harrison's "chronometer" won out. In fact, watch horologists around the world are still fascinated with the precision of the jewels that drove the H-4 timepiece. Originally a carpenter by trade, Harrison's passion for "capturing" time helped sailors to find the most accurate method to navigate the seas. Finally, mass production of chornomaters was perfected by John Arnold.