The chronometer was initially created to solve the problem of finding longitude at sea; whoever did this first would rule the oceans. It had long been theorized that a clock could do this; however, no one knew if an accurate, reliable clock able to work on the rolling seas could be made. If the timepiece was off by a minute, you would be off course by many miles – the difference between hitting Boston Harbor or crashing on the rocks or missing a South sea island entirely.

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In 1714, Britain enacted the Longitude Act, which set out a competition among clockmakers to create the first sea-worthy timepiece. 21 years later, in 1735, an English self-taught clockmaker, John Harrison, did just that; he continued to experiment which led to what would be known as the marine chronometer. Note that the chronometer is fitted on gimbals so it can stay level on the rolling seas. The industrious English created a chronometer industry robust enough to outfit all English ships. The success of the British Empire was singularly the result of these timekeepers.