Jonathan Betts is a leading horological scholar and researcher, whose work centers on the history of marine timekeepers. His deep expertise, informed by extensive practice and scholarship, allows him to delve into the technical and historical intricacies of these crucial instruments' development. Betts explores their impact on maritime navigation, highlighting their significance during the age of exploration. His writing offers readers a fascinating glimpse into the world of precision timekeeping and its historical importance.
Following one of the most inspiring and fascinating stories linked to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, this book centres on the life and achievements of John Harrison - designer and builder of the first accurate marine chronometers.
Following one of the most inspiring and fascinating stories linked to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, this book centers on the life and achievements of John Harrison, designer and builder of the first accurate, marine timekeepers. Inspired by the official prize offered in 1714 to anyone who could solve the problem of finding a longitudinal position at sea, Harrison, already a clock-maker, produced his four famous timepieces. A fascinating account of one man driven by the need to solve one of the greatest practical problems of his time, this new edition features numerous illustrations, including the new memorial to Harrison in Westminster Abbey, as well as much updated information. Fresh insights on Harrison and his achievements are followed by a new section on Rupert Gould, the man who restored Harrison's timepieces in the inter-war years.