This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23514521

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The crazy ideas which failed to solve the longitude problem The crazy ideas that failed to solve the longitude problem
(1 day later)
It was a complex conundrum which baffled 18th Century scientists and captivated the British public. How could sea navigation be made easier, by being able to accurately measure exact points east and west from a fixed meridian line? It was a complex conundrum that baffled 18th Century scientists and captivated the British public. How could sea navigation be made easier, by being able to accurately measure exact points east and west from a fixed meridian line?
For decades from 1714, experts and enthusiasts submitted their ideas to the Board of Longitude in the hope of winning a £20,000 prize - worth £1.5m in today's money.For decades from 1714, experts and enthusiasts submitted their ideas to the Board of Longitude in the hope of winning a £20,000 prize - worth £1.5m in today's money.
Now, the full story of attempts to solve the longitude problem is available in Cambridge University's Digital Library - with documents and drawings online. Here - with Cambridge historian Professor Simon Schaffer - look at some of the ideas that failed, and the timepiece credited with providing the solution. Now, the full story of attempts to solve the longitude problem is available in Cambridge University's Digital Library - with documents and drawings online. Here, with Cambridge historian Prof Simon Schaffer, look at some of the ideas that failed, and the timepiece credited with providing the solution.
All images subject to copyright. Click bottom right for details.All images subject to copyright. Click bottom right for details.
Images courtesy National Maritime Museum, Cambridge University Library, Getty Images and Science Photo Library.Images courtesy National Maritime Museum, Cambridge University Library, Getty Images and Science Photo Library.
Music by KPM Music. Slideshow production by Paul Kerley. Publication date 1 August 2013.Music by KPM Music. Slideshow production by Paul Kerley. Publication date 1 August 2013.
Related:Related:
University of Cambridge Digital LibraryUniversity of Cambridge Digital Library
Royal Museums GreenwichRoyal Museums Greenwich
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websitesThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
More audio slideshows:More audio slideshows:
How aerial photographs tracked down Hitler's flying bombsHow aerial photographs tracked down Hitler's flying bombs
Magnificent Mallard: The world's fastest steam locomotiveMagnificent Mallard: The world's fastest steam locomotive
The man who built the DomeThe man who built the Dome