Leeds nostalgia: Exhibition to mark 300 years since invention of marine chronometer

A brand new exhibition at Nostell Priory marks the 300th anniversary of one of the most important inventions in history: the marine chronometer, which was later used by sailers to more accurately determine longitude.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Mar 2017, 08:42 GMT
The stone memorial unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh and laid in dedication to John Harrison, the clockmaker who discovered the principle of longitude, during a special service inside Westminster Abbey in central London, Friday March 24, 2006. John Harrison made his discovery during the eighteenth century and his invention greatly aided naval navigation and the expansion of the British Empire. Standalone photo. PRESS ASSOCIATION photo. Photo Credit should read: Johnny Green/pool/PA.The stone memorial unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh and laid in dedication to John Harrison, the clockmaker who discovered the principle of longitude, during a special service inside Westminster Abbey in central London, Friday March 24, 2006. John Harrison made his discovery during the eighteenth century and his invention greatly aided naval navigation and the expansion of the British Empire. Standalone photo. PRESS ASSOCIATION photo. Photo Credit should read: Johnny Green/pool/PA.
The stone memorial unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh and laid in dedication to John Harrison, the clockmaker who discovered the principle of longitude, during a special service inside Westminster Abbey in central London, Friday March 24, 2006. John Harrison made his discovery during the eighteenth century and his invention greatly aided naval navigation and the expansion of the British Empire. Standalone photo. PRESS ASSOCIATION photo. Photo Credit should read: Johnny Green/pool/PA.

It was invented in 1717 by John Harrison (who was born on March 24 1693 and remarkably died on the same day in 1776), in response to a competition launched in 1714. He was born on the Nostell Priory estate and worked as a carpenter. The estate is home to one of his first long clocks, built in 1717 and which still draws people from all over the world.

An exhibition to celebrate the invention began on Saturday March 25 and will run until Sunday October 29.

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Visitors can peer inside to see the wooden mechanism that’s stood the test of time and unravel John Harrison’s story, from his humble beginnings to solving the greatest scientific challenge of his age; the Longitude Problem. The inner workings of Harrison’s clock are all the original parts, handcrafted 1717.

Launch of Talking Statues, which features the voices of stars including Vic Reeves, Brian Blessed, and Game of Thrones star Gemma Whelan. They have recorded voiceovers for iconic statues such as The Black Prince to the lions outside Leeds Town Hall to help bring the city's history to life. Passersby have to swipe their smartphones on nearby plaques to hear their stories. The statue of John Harrison in City Square. 16th June 2016. Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeLaunch of Talking Statues, which features the voices of stars including Vic Reeves, Brian Blessed, and Game of Thrones star Gemma Whelan. They have recorded voiceovers for iconic statues such as The Black Prince to the lions outside Leeds Town Hall to help bring the city's history to life. Passersby have to swipe their smartphones on nearby plaques to hear their stories. The statue of John Harrison in City Square. 16th June 2016. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
Launch of Talking Statues, which features the voices of stars including Vic Reeves, Brian Blessed, and Game of Thrones star Gemma Whelan. They have recorded voiceovers for iconic statues such as The Black Prince to the lions outside Leeds Town Hall to help bring the city's history to life. Passersby have to swipe their smartphones on nearby plaques to hear their stories. The statue of John Harrison in City Square. 16th June 2016. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

Those who fancy getting more hands-on will get the chance to tinker with some modern day cogs and levers to discover exactly what makes a clock tick.

Part of the exhibition includes Harrison’s Garden, where there will be an installation of 2,000 ticking clocks by internationally renowned artist, Luke Jerram. The timepieces of all shapes, sizes and colours will decorate the Muniments Room on the ground floor of the house, set to be a spectacle for the eyes and ears.

With each one set to a different time, you’ll hear a musical delight of ticking, clicking and chiming all through the day.

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Related topics:John HarrisonLeedsNostell Priory