Stuart

The measurement of time

In 1670 the Dutch scientist, Christiaan Hugyens, invented the grandfather clock. He used a pendulum to regulate the movement of the clock. It was the most accurate of all timekeeping devices until the invention of the quartz clock in the Twentieth Century.

A clock could operate for 8 days now instead of the more usual 30 hours.

Further improvements to the clock mechanism took place at the same time as a tall case was being devised to take the weights and cords, and the new pendulum. The long case clock had arrived.

Although minute hands had been used on church clocks in Europe from 1400 onwards, they took a while to come into general use. Early long case clocks only had an hour hand.

What is a long case clock often called?

Click the picture for an answer.