Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

Throughout history, humanity has encountered problems that they have sought to solve through unique inventions. What are some of the most significant inventions in world history? What are some overarching themes of the problems that were trying to be addressed? How did these problems vary in themes over the centuries? Explain.

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question invites students to consider the role that inventions have played in The Quest for Precision. In particular, Sobel’s text touches upon three key historical periods related to the need for scientific and technological advancement: The Age of Exploration (the 15th-17th centuries), the Scientific Revolution (16th-17th centuries), and the Industrial Revolution (18th-19th centuries). While these eras can overlap in time, they all point to the important fact that, beginning with the Renaissance in the 14th century, European countries in the post-Medieval era were beginning to expand their interests geographically, scientifically, and economically. Ultimately, all three eras were connected in that they sought growth; however, this could only be obtained with the proper inventions to propel them forward. This Short Answer links to the Short Activity.

• History.com provides a plethora of topics related to “Exploration” in the 15th century.
• Britannica offers a brief overview of “Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution,” the era that Sobel’s text straddles.

Short Activity

Throughout history, inventors have worked hard to create products that ultimately increased humanity’s capabilities in different facets. Working in small groups, select an inventor from history and share information about this person’s background. Consider the following questions as you prepare your presentation: Who was this person? Where were they from? What was their socioeconomic background? What did this person invent, and how was their invention received at the time? How has it changed the world since?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Activity invites students to explore different inventors and their creations in the context of group work and in relation to the text’s themes of The Quest for Precision, The Lone Inventor, and Integrity Versus the Prize. This Short Activity relates to the main Activity.

• Britannica offers a list of inventors from ancient times until the present day.
• Technology Networks explores relatively unknown inventors in “4 Scientists That Were Disregarded During Their Time.”

Differentiation Suggestion: For more advanced classes, the following question may be added to the above prompt for a post-presentation in-class discussion: Now consider inventions that were not used to aid humanity. How can the power of invention and technology be used for evil purposes, as opposed to good? Explain.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

What does the word “integrity” mean? In which ways is integrity an attractive quality in a person? How does it differentiate someone from their peers? Provide examples and explain.

Teaching Suggestion: This Personal Connection Prompt invites students to consider the theme Integrity Versus the Prize as it relates to their own understanding. Integrity is a central attribute for Sobel’s book. In it, John Harrison, inventor of the sea clock, is less concerned about winning a substantial amount of prize money, and instead focuses on developing an invention that will benefit the future of humanity. This Personal Connection Prompt segues directly to the Discussion/Analysis Prompt.

• Merriam-Webster, “Integrity”