Longitude
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by
Steve
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rated it 3 stars
Jan 28, 2011 10:56AM
Just after I finished reading Sobel's book, a friend told me about this one The Quest for Longitude: The Proceedings of the Longitude Symposium Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts November 4-6, 1993. This symposium was the original source for Sobel's book. Apparently it goes to much greater depth and contains illustrations.
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The book inspired me to visit the museum in Greenwich where I saw a number of the clocks and devices described. Some are still working. It was fascinating.
Who would have thought a perfect clock could be made in the mid 1700's? And that it could establish longitude perfectly? And that it took over a century for timepieces to be readily accessible? "Longitude" is a very readable book about a topic most people don't even know exists and it demonstrates once again how good ideas get buried under "established truths". (See "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn.)
As interesting as the story of the clock was and all the technology surrounding longitude, what inspired me the most was the man who crafted the timepiece. He was not a highly trained engineer nor even a watchmaker highly skilled in his craft. No, he was a common man, a carpenter, who had a dream and the will and perseverance to see it rhough. What an example he is to all of us that we all can succeed at our dreams and there is still room in this world for dreams.
I was inspired to visit the museum in Greenwich as well.This is a story of great perseverence, dedication against great opposition fron the scientific community led by Sir Isaac Newton himself.
The lesson:Stay true to yourself and your vision.
Great book, but read the illustrated edition.
Stephanie wrote: "The book inspired me to visit the museum in Greenwich where I saw a number of the clocks and devices described. Some are still working. It was fascinating."I went to Greenwich when I was young and now am every unlikely to ever return. I really wish I had read about Harrison before going. Yet another regret --oh well.
Richard wrote: "As interesting as the story of the clock was and all the technology surrounding longitude, what inspired me the most was the man who crafted the timepiece. He was not a highly trained engineer nor..."Yeah, Wilbur and Orville Wright were bicycle mechanics.
But Obama says "they didn't build that".
