Longitude

This podcast episode of "In Our Time" features Melvyn Bragg leading a discussion with Jim Bennett, Rebekah Higgitt, and Simon Schaffer about the historical problem of determining longitude at sea. The conversation covers early navigation techniques, the challenges faced by mariners, and the scientific and technological advancements spurred by the British government's Longitude Act of 1714. The panel explores the contributions of figures like John Harrison and Nevil Maskelyne, the development of instruments such as the chronometer and sextant, and the impact of solving the longitude problem on trade, imperial expansion, and the establishment of Greenwich as the prime meridian. The discussion also touches on the broader implications for technology, state support for innovation, and international cooperation in charting and mapping the world.