Longitude (1995) by Dava Sobel

 On Tuesday 20 July 2022 we went on a Sussex road trip before ending up in Lewes where we enjoyed Robin’s hospitality and discussed his science themed choices

READ: Longitude (1995) by Dava Sobel

We all agreed that Dava Sobel has written a very accessible account of a genius who prevailed against the odds. It's concise, absorbing and packed full of fascinating details and interesting characters. A perfect history book for the general reader.

The subtitle says it all, Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time. That lone genius was John Harrison (1693-1776) a self taught clock maker. Over 40 years, he invented and produced four increasingly precise and compact chronometers capable of accurately measuring time over a long, rough sea voyage. By comparing the chronometer's time to local sun time, a navigator could precisely measure longitude. Prior to his invention there was no accurate way of measuring longitude and many lives were lost due to catastrophic miscalculations.

In 1714 the British Parliament offered a reward to whoever could solve the longitude problem with a prize of £20,000 for the winner. At that time astronomy was seen as the best route to a solution despite being time consuming and difficult.

You might think that Harrison's incredible devices would be unanimously welcomed. Alas, no. He was forever battling vested interests until eventually, and after decades, King George III intervened.

John Harrison's marine timekeepers are on display at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.

Nick 6.5 / Tristan 7  / Nigel 7 / Keith 5 / Roland 5.5 / Robin 7 / Hamish 6

WATCH: October Sky (1999) dir by Joe Johnston

Roland loved this film. The rest of us thought it was fine but perhaps a bit too schmaltzy 

LISTEN: Dub Me Crazy (1982) by Mad Professor

We were all in thrall to the Mad Professor. Or were we? My notes are a little vague on this point

HBG endorse it: 22 July 2022 -> 20 September 2022

Boys from Brazil - the rise of the Bolsanaros (iPlayer)

How to with John Wilson (iPlayer)

Arsenal: All or Nothing (Prime)

Beter Call Saul (Netflix)

Haywards Heath response to Climate Emergency

Raymond Briggs doc (iPlayer)

Portmeirion (Village, Wales)

The Feast by Margaret Kennedy (Book)

Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth (Theatre)

Prima Facie (National Theatre)

Trainwreck: Woodstock 99 (Netflix)

Jackie Brown (Netflix)

The Truth about Brewdog (iPlayer)

Cremona, Italy

Bad Manners (Live music)

Roland’s party