The Historical Past Of Grandfather Clocks

Since the dawn of time, mankind has sought out new and accurate ways to record and track of the passing of time. Prior to civilisation, the moon, sun and stars were utilized in order to let people know key elements such as just how much daylight remains or just how long they have to delay until the sun pops up.



The most ancient civilisation known to man, the Sumerians, are viewed to have created the sundial that divided an important 24 hour time period into two hour segments and in Ancient Egypt, they made use of a clock called 'Cleopatra's Needle' that carried out a similar function. Eventually, the water clock and the hourglass found their way into popular use however it wasn't till 1582 that the famous scientist Galileo drew the 1st ever design of Grandfather Clocks that used a pendulum to keep track of time, (although none had been actually created at that time). Galileo, like other astronomers of his period was trying to find better ways to record the movements of the stars.



It wasn't until over seventy years later in 1656 that Galileo's invention was really created by Dutchman Christiaan Huygens. However unlike the timepieces that can be bought from any great reproductive furnishings outlet today, early Grandfather clocks kept very bad time.



The design saw fantastic improvement in 1670 when Bill Clement pointed out that the clocks needed a longer pendulum which needed much higher clocks to house it. Clement named the new version of Galileo's device the 'Long Case Clock', however in 1875, Henry Work wrote a song about them called 'My Grandfather's Clock', and the title stuck.



Various people added to the design and style to improve the look and accuracy, most of whom were from Britain. Some of the more famous earlier clock makers who played a part in its advancement include:



* Joseph Knibb

* Thomas Tompian

* George Graham

* Daniel Quare



Nonetheless in the 1870s, cheaper American versions of the Grandfather clock started to appear which ruined the English clock making sector.



Modern Grandfather Clocks are extremely similar to the earlier design from the sixteenth century and utilize a pendulum which is mounted on an anchor. As the pendulum swings the anchor spins a gear which is what brings about the 'ticking' noise; weights are additionally used to keep the clock from losing time.



The cases were created from solid oak and had an architectural appearance to them. Many others had been made from African mahogany and the truly expensive ones had some sort of ebony or perhaps pearlwood finish. The actual dials were rather square and made of brass and from 1772, they were embellished, the first demonstration of which was performed by Birmingham clockmakers Osborn as well as Wilson. By the 1830s, simple designs such as birds or strawberries were being substituted for more complex painted displays.



Brand new Grandfather clocks are often made to look like traditional ones as well as sold by reproduction furnishings outlets which specialise in producing all sorts of furnishings that has the look of antique goods, however at a fraction of the price.