TECHNICAL INNOVATORS · 1693–1776
John Harrison
ENGLAND
Portrait via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
KNOWN FOR
Marine chronometers and solving the longitude problem
MOST FAMOUS WORK
H4 Marine Timekeeper
WHY THEY MATTER
Harrison's timekeepers helped sailors calculate longitude at sea, changing navigation and global travel forever.
WATCHUCATION TAKEAWAY
Accurate timekeeping was once a matter of life, death, and discovery.
Full biography coming soon. Explore other masters in the Horology Hall of Fame.