From Sails to Satellites, The Origin and Development of Navigational Science

Oxford / New York / Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1992. Fine condition in a Very Good dust jacket (surface of rear panel of DJ is scuffed/rubbed). NO chips. NO tears. NO creases. NO fading. Bright, shiny, clean, square, and tight. Sharp corners. NO owner's name or bookplate. NOT a remainder. All pages are fresh and crisp -- obviously never read. 7.75" wide by 10" tall. With 150 illustrations. Tables. Maps. A sweeping history of navigation from astrolabes, sextants and cross-staffs to radar, gyroscopes and lasers. Scientific history is interweaved with tales of trade, exploration and warfare. Recounts the centuries-long pursuit to accurately measure Longitude, from 1598 when Philip III of Spain's offered lavish prizes for a solution, to 1759 when John Harrison built his marine chronometer No. 4. Also covered are development of the sextant, perfection of the pivoted needle compass, tidal prediction, marine lights, radio direction-finding, gyrocompass, radar, inertial navigation systems, lasers, etc. Bibliographical references. Index. Bound in the original black boards, stamped in shiny gold on the spine. From the Dust Jacket: "The history of navigational science offers vivid insights into the areas of human endeavour which have driven it… In servicing these needs navigational science has made use of very diverse scientific discoveries starting with simple geometry and calculations in dead-reckoning and the use of magnetic compasses. More complicated mathematics and more accurate mechanisms are required for astronomical navigation....". First Edition. Hardcover. Fine condition/Very Good jacket. 319pp. Great Packaging, Fast Shipping.