Wakefield Stars:- John Harrison, clockmaker

John Harrison was born in 1693 at Foulby. See SE3917 : Blue plaque, John Harrison He was the eldest son of the estate carpenter for Nostell Priory. Harrison became a skilful, self taught clock maker, and went on to solve the ‘longitude problem’. Longitude represents the time difference across the globe, so an accurate clock that could travel by sea was much sought after. Many tried and failed, but Harrison’s skills and perseverance lead him to create the marine chronometer. This invention was one of the most important technological developments of its time. See SE3320 : Wakefield Stars, walk of fame, the Bull Ring (1)

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