The "Latitude Problem" refers to the historical challenge of determining a ship's precise north-south position while at sea. Before the invention of accurate timekeeping devices, sailors relied on celestial navigation, using the position of the Sun and stars to estimate their latitude. However, this method was often imprecise, leading to navigational errors and dangerous maritime conditions. The problem was significantly addressed in the 18th century with the development of the marine chronometer by John Harrison. This invention allowed sailors to accurately measure longitude, which, when combined with latitude, provided a complete understanding of a ship's position on the globe.