Longitude

About “Longitude”

Longitude is the story of an epic scientific challenge known as the "longitude problem," which plagued sailors for centuries. Without a way to measure longitude, sailors often became lost at sea, endangering lives and national interests. John Harrison, an outsider to the scientific community, spent forty years developing a mechanical solution: a clock that could keep accurate time even on a moving ship. His creation, the chronometer, was a breakthrough in navigation. The book explores Harrison's determination, the resistance he faced, and the broader history of astronomy, navigation, and clockmaking. It highlights both the triumphs and the conflicts surrounding one of the most important scientific achievements of the 18th century.