Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
by Dava Sobel
Description
For centuries, determining longitude at sea remained one of the most vexing scientific challenges, a problem that cost countless lives and fortunes. This gripping narrative chronicles the remarkable journey of John Harrison, an 18th-century English clockmaker with no formal training, who dedicated his life to solving this monumental puzzle. Through sheer ingenuity and relentless perseverance, Harrison developed a series of revolutionary marine chronometers, culminating in a device that finally enabled navigators to accurately pinpoint their position on the globe. Dava Sobel masterfully weaves together the scientific intricacies, the political intrigue, and the personal struggles of a true visionary who, against all odds, achieved one of history's greatest technological breakthroughs.
Available Editions
hardcover
Walker & Company
Published Sep 15, 2005
192 pages
ISBN: 9780802714626
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Details
First Published
1995
Language
eng
Content Warnings
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