Board of Longitude

The Board of Longitude (English Length Committee ) was convened in 1714 by the British Parliament. Task of the committee of experts was the granting of research contracts and lending rates for the solution of the linear problem. The panel was half mathematicians and astronomers, as well as representatives of the Admiralty, the military and naval merchant shipping, the other half of parliamentarians and of the Commons appointed representatives. For a reasonable solution to the length problem £ 20,000 were awarded, and depending on the accuracy of the method found itself reduced the prize money.