How did one clock save lives? episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 23, 2026 · 11 MIN

How did one clock save lives?

from History for Kids / History's Not Boring: The Kids History Podcast · host SCL

Arrr, mateys! Did you know sailors used to get totally lost at sea? Imagine sailing for weeks and having no idea where you are! It was the biggest puzzle of the 1700s, and it cost thousands of lives!Meet John Harrison, a carpenter who never went to fancy schools but decided to solve this HUGE problem. He spent his whole life building a special, super-accurate clock—the marine chronometer—that could keep time perfectly even on a rocking boat!But wait, the stuffy scientists wouldn't believe him! John had to fight for 40 years to prove his genius clock worked! Tune in to hear the dramatic story of how one determined man and his incredible invention changed sea travel forever, just in time for the 250th anniversary of his passing! Get ready for history that's definitely NOT boring!

Arrr, mateys! Did you know sailors used to get totally lost at sea? Imagine sailing for weeks and having no idea where you are! It was the biggest puzzle of the 1700s, and it cost thousands of lives! Meet John Harrison, a carpenter who never went to fancy schools but decided to solve this HUGE problem. He spent his whole life building a special, super-accurate clock—the marine chronometer—that could keep time perfectly even on a rocking boat! But wait, the stuffy scientists wouldn't believe h...

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How did one clock save lives?

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This episode is 11 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 23, 2026.

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Arrr, mateys! Did you know sailors used to get totally lost at sea? Imagine sailing for weeks and having no idea where you are! It was the biggest puzzle of the 1700s, and it cost thousands of lives!Meet John Harrison, a carpenter who never went to...

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