NOVA (PBS) - Lost at Sea: The Search for Longitude (1998)

NOVA (PBS) Season 26 - Episode 1 - 1998/10/06 - Lost at Sea: The Search for Longitude

Before global positioning systems, modern map making even before America was America the concept of longitude was just a dream. Without its guidance, navigation in the 1700s was both unpredictable and deadly...until one man solved the mystery. Richard Dreyfuss narrates this dramatic recreation of longitude s difficult birth, and the remarkable history-making life of a humble, ingenious country carpenter named John Harrison.

With no formal education, Harrison used his boundless imagination to overcome a world of skepticism and best the world s greatest thinkers. Discovering that the secret to navigation lay not just in the stars, but in mastering the power of time, Harrison made longitude as predictable as the sunrise. And, although it took him 58 years, Harrison finally won £20,000 (worth millions in today s dollars) and the overdue recognition as the Father of Longitude. Now, expert insights and fascinating details reveal the measure of one man s amazing impact. Climb aboard an authentic tall ship and go back in time to see history and longitude in the making.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• NOVA
• S26E01
• Lost
• At
• Sea
• The
• Search
• For
• Longitude
• documentary

[varanrules]

Thumbs up if ur watching this for Mr. Clinton's Honors Earth Science Class

[Dr1Canuckchuck]

Extremely interesting!

How I wish I'd lived during the time when craftsmanship held more sway than economic constraints and mass production; When everything that was built was an ornamental masterpiece and each unit was unique.

Great upload, thanks!

[FalloutTheMaster]

Fascinating, and a stark reminder of the dangers of intellectual dogmatism.

[rbuss1956]

We modern humans are pale imitations of all those geniuses of the past... Many thanks to you who have made this great documentary available.

[Bootleg127]

Thanks for this!

[DForce0]

A singular genius! One of the most incredible human beings I have ever read about. Very daunting to be at polar odds with Isaac Newton. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the problem Harrison solved. He is definitely one man who changed the world. I never get tired of reading about him and am constantly amazed at his pure dedication, tenacity, and problem solving ability. Thanks so much for posting this video!