Classic Hardwood

In part two of this three part blog post series we will be looking at the pendulum and its role in how grandfather clocks became the size and shape that they are.

Galileo first discovered that a pendulum could be used to keep time. But it took Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens to actually make the first pendulum clock. This turned out to be the prototype for the grandfather clock.

These clocks employed short pendulums and were designed for hanging on the wall. By way of a sturdy hook and an iron hoop at the back of the clock.

It was soon discovered that the longer the pendulum, the more accurate the clock could be made. In the mid-17th century, English clockmakers had introduced six foot tall floor standing clocks with ten inch pendulums.

By 1670 even longer pendulums were being used. Various other refinements were also made, and the best manufacturers were producing clocks that were accurate to within ten seconds per month. This accuracy made them very popular, even though they were very expensive. Clock makers were now confident enough to add a minute hand, which made the clock a far more useful and appealing piece of furniture.

The case of a grandfather clock essentially consists of the base, waist, and hood (although decorative pieces were added by designers). At the height of their popularity many clocks were over nine foot tall! These days, however, six to seven foot tall ones are the most popular. This is mainly due to the size of modern day houses.

In the final blog post of this series we will look at how the grandfather clock came to be what it is today.