John Harrison (chronometer inventor)

John Harrison was an 18th-century English carpenter and clockmaker who invented the marine chronometer, a pivotal device that improved navigation at sea. Before his work, sailors struggled with determining longitude accurately, leading to dangerous voyages. Harrison's chronometers were highly precise timekeeping instruments that allowed sailors to calculate their position by comparing local time with a reference time. His innovations, particularly H4, demonstrated remarkable accuracy and reliability, ultimately transforming maritime navigation and saving countless lives. Harrison’s contributions earned him recognition and laid the groundwork for modern timekeeping and navigation techniques.