jan 1, 1714 - Board of Longitude established

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1714 | Board of Longitude established
In the same year of George’s coronation, the British government established the Board of Longitude. The board was created to help solve the “longitudinal problem” required to work out a fixed point upon the Earth, and more particularly, to find a ship’s location on a featureless sea.
The board announced a prize of £20,000 for any person who could devise a method that could stand the test of a voyage from England to the West Indies. The membership of the Board consisted of scientists, naval officers, and government officials. Advisors included many notaries of the time, including Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed and Sir Isaac Newton.

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