GRANDFATHER CLOCKS
Galileo is remembered by history as the ‘father’ of astronomy. Did you know that he conceptualized the rudimentary principals of the grandfather clock also?
Galileo Galilei was an astronomer, physicist, mathematician and inventor. Among his inventions were the telescope, compass and thermometer …And the grandfather clock too.
He drew the first designs for a grandfather clock after making the discovery that time could be tracked using a pendulum.
Galileo based this design off of the verge-and-foliot control mechanism first invented around 1285.
He began investigating the idea of the time it takes a pendulum to swing back and forth in relation to the isochronism or arc of the swing. As legend goes, his fascination with the pendulum and the concept of time began after encountering a suspended lamp swing back and forth in a Cathedral. Galileo surmised that a pendulum could be used to track time.
He drew the first designs for a grandfather clock, though he did not build it.
In 1656, Christian Huygens built the first known grandfather clock, putting Galileo’s discovery and theories to use. Though the clock did not keep accurate time, it was a major breakthrough in timekeeping technology. Finally in 1670, William Clement discovered that the clocks worked better with a longer pendulum. Of course, this required a taller clock. Clement named his newly designed clocks long-case clocks. This was the predecessor of the grandfather clocks that we know today. Through the years, various inventors tried to improve on the design but with little luck. In 1875, Henry Work wrote the song “My Grandfather’s Clock” and the name stuck.
Today’s grandfather clocks rely on a pendulum attached to an anchor. The swinging pendulum causes the anchor to turn a gear, which in turn causes the clock to tick. A pair of weights further helps power the clock and keeps it from losing time. Although the technology has evolved over the years, the grandfather clocks of today still reflect the ingenuity of our ancestors.
We expect a lot from our grandfather clocks. Actually we expect a lot from all clocks. We expect them to be breathtakingly beautiful. We expect them to make a strong statement about our status in life. They should brighten our home with their elegance. Their rich chimes should fill our life with music. Above all else, though, they should be reliable.
At some point, we’ve all heard the phrase that something works “like clockwork.” That is how dependable we expect our clocks to be. In fact, we put our lives in their hands, trusting them to keep us on time, on track, and on schedule.
What could be a better symbol of steadfast loyalty than the grandfather clock? Standing well over 6 feet tall and constructed of solid wood, they are the very picture of faithful duty.
In the world of grandfather clocks, German grandfather clocks are known to be well-made and valuable. They are among the most respected and trusted clocks of all. In fact, some of the most revered antique grandfather clocks are German made. Harfen-Gong grandfather clocks, for example, are German-made antiques. Many are still working today, which is further testimony to the quality of German craftsmanship.
German parts are often an intricate ingredient even in clocks made in other parts of the world. German movements are synonymous with quality and reliability. The oldest existing maker of mechanical movements is the Kieninger Clock Factory which was founded in Germany in 1912 by Joseph Kieninger. Today many of the world’s best clocks rely on the technology of German movements.
Although most grandfather clocks are not actually made in Germany today, the German technology is still the driving force behind some of the greatest and most valuable grandfather clocks on the market.
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