John Harrison

Date of Birth: March 24, 1693

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: March 24, 1776

Biography

John Harrison was a self-educated English carpenter and clockmaker who invented the marine chronometer, a long-sought-after device for solving the problem of calculating longitude while at sea. His invention was pivotal in the development of long-distance sea travel in the 18th century, drastically improving the safety and efficiency of naval navigation. Born in the early 18th century, Harrison’s early life was spent in Foulby, Yorkshire, where he nurtured his interest in mechanics and clockmaking. His major breakthrough came after decades of persistent effort and innovation, culminating in the creation of the H4 marine chronometer, which finally met the stringent requirements set by the British government for determining longitude accurately.

5 Interesting Facts about John Harrison

1. John Harrison was largely self-taught and did not have formal training in clockmaking.

2. He built his first pendulum clock entirely out of wood at the age of 20.

3. Harrison’s H4 chronometer was tested on a voyage to Jamaica and proved to be remarkably accurate, losing only 5 seconds over 81 days.

4. He was awarded a total of £23,065 by the British government for his contributions to solving the longitude problem, a significant sum at the time.

5. Harrison’s work laid the foundation for modern timekeeping and navigation technologies.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Harrison

1. “I am sorry to see you lose so much time.”

2. “It is not just the clock that makes the time, but the time that makes the clock.”

3. “True art is but the pursuit of the truth.”

4. “The mechanism of a clock is a universe in itself.”

5. “Accuracy is the soul of art.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

John Harrison was awarded £23,065 by the British government, which was a substantial amount of money in the 18th century. Adjusted for inflation, this would equate to several million pounds in today’s money, though his exact net worth at any given time is not well-documented.

Children

John Harrison had three children with his first wife, Elizabeth: John, William, and Elizabeth. His son William Harrison played a significant role in testing and promoting his father’s marine chronometers, including accompanying the H4 on its successful voyage to Jamaica.