A Moment in Time

A unique exhibition celebrating Yorkshire-born carpenter and clockmaker John Harrison, who invented the marine chronometer.

The exhibition not only recognises the extraordinary impact and life-changing influence of Harrison’s creations, but also the East Riding Artists’ personal and creative interpretations of Moments in Time.

John Harrison, 3 April 1693 to 24 March 1776, changed the World by inventing a super-accurate clock that enabled mariners to measure longitude which gave them the ability to measure exactly where they were on the ocean waves.

The Longitude Act of 1714 offered a prize for the solution to miscalculations of longitude, which had led to numerous disasters at sea and huge loss of life.  Harrison set out to solve the longitude problem by producing a reliable clock that could keep the time accurately over long intervals without having to constantly adjust it. The clock had to resist variations in temperature, pressure, humidity, corrosion in salt air, and was able to function on board a constantly moving ship.

Harrison succeeded after 30 years of experimentation and various sea trials and was eventually awarded a proportion of the prize money offered by Parliament.

Visiting the Gallery

The Stables Community Gallery is open daily from 10am to 4pm, and entry is free. Located in the South Stable Courtyard, you’ll find it on the right-hand side as you walk through the first archway from the café. Everyone is welcome to explore the exhibition and enjoy the creative work on display in this accessible community space.