About John Serson
John Serson was an English and British inventor.
John Serson (died 1744) was an English sea captain best known for his invention of a "whirling speculum". This was an early form of artificial horizon designed for marine navigation, consisting of a mirror, attached to a spinning top, that attempted to remain in a horizontal plane despite the movement of the ship. This device can be seen as a precursor to the gyroscope used in modern inertial navigation, although it was not itself a gyroscope.
Serson was lost at sea on in 1744.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Serson?
English sailor and inventor
When did John Serson die?
John Serson died in 1744.
What was John Serson's occupation?
John Serson was an inventor.
What nationality was John Serson?
John Serson was English and British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Serson. https://biography.guide/john-serson/
MLA: "John Serson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-serson/.
Chicago: "John Serson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-serson/.
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