Richard Searle

IBM have created a crowd sourcing software development model (Liquid) , described in this video The example of John Harrison's development of a chronometer to win the Longitude Prize  is given as an example and justification of Liquid.  Consider the following features of John Harrison's work:

• Prize amount of ~ $5 million dollars (equivalent)
• 16 years from establishment of prize until Harrison draw up his initial proposal
• 5 years to build first prototype marine clock
• 5 years to build and test second prototype
• 17 years to work on unsuccessful third prototype
• 6 years to build prototype marine watch
• Never received full award (which was never awarded to any person)
• Had to petition  the King to receive even the partial award.