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Probably the most important development in maritime history was the development of the chronometer, faithfully described in the wonderful TV film called ‘Longitude’.
After the wreck of Sir Cloudsley Shovell’s fleet on the Scillies in the 18th century, a prize was offered for the development of a practical solution to the ‘problem of longitude. When John Harrison developed a clock that would keep time at sea, he had effectively solved the problem and claimed the prize.
Unfortunately for Harrison, the adjudicator was a Board of Longitude dominated by members of the Royal Society, a kind of government agency(!) They had their own agenda, and wanted an astronomical solution. Also, the navy did not want to admit that on one occasion the fact that Harrison’s chronometer was on board undergoing sea trials saved a major fleet accident.
So information was suppressed, the standards of proof were repeatedly changed, obstacles were put in his way. - the goalposts were repeatedly moved. The Royal Society decided what data and what procedures would apply. If these did not produce the result they wanted, then the rules were changed.
This went on for 50 years, and justice was only done when parliament intervened directly and awarded Harrison, by then an old and dying man, his just rewards.
This classic example of the Whitehall Loop shows that, sadly, little has changed.
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