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John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude is a fascinating account of one man driven by the need to solve one of the greatest practical problems of his time. Following one of the most intriguing and fascinating stories linked to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the book centres on the life and achievements of John Harrison – designer and builder of the first accurate marine chronometers. Inspired by the official prize offered in 1714 to anyone who could solve the problem of finding longitudinal position at sea, Harrison produced his four famous 'H' timepieces. In doing so, he helped revolutionise navigation at sea, saving many thousands of lives.
This new edition contains beautiful technical drawings of the mechanisms of clocks and the technology involved in Harrison's creations, bringing to life this inspiring story.
Jonathan Betts is Curator Emeritus of Horology at Royal Museums Greenwich. He is the author of Marine Chronometers at Greenwich.
