Clock

a machine intended to measure time by the movements of wheelwork. The chief parts of a clock are a frame or case, a train of wheels, moved by weights or a spring, and regulated by the beats of a pendulum or by a balance wheel. The original meaning of the term clock is a bell. It was applied at first only to the portion of the mechanism which struck the hours, but after a time the name was extended to the entire timepiece. The ancient term horologe, meaning literally, telling the hour, is a more appropriate term.

Mention of the clock may be found in old chronicles dating from the time of Charlemagne, and literary traces such as, "the clock struck the hour," and "the hand of the clock," may be found in the writings of the Middle Ages. It is thought that the earliest clocks were the work of the Saracens from whom the art of clock-making was learned by the monks of Europe. Many remarkable timepieces are to be found in the clock towers of European cities. A number of clocks of more or less wonderful workmanship were made for the various cathedrals of Europe during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.

One of these celebrated clocks is found in the south transept of Strasburg Cathedral. The original clock was built in the thirteenth century. It has been pulled down and replaced twice. The present structure contains only a few pieces and decorative paintings of the old clock. It has a number of features which never cease to attract admiring spectators. The clock consists of four stories and turrets. On the lowest level a guardian deity steps forth, one for each day in the week; Apollo, drawn in a chariot by horses, on Sunday; Diana, drawn by a stag, on Monday; on Tuesday, Mars; Wednesday, Mercury; Thursday, Jupiter; Friday, Venus; Saturday, Saturn. A wooden angel standing in the first gallery, corresponding to the lower porch of a house, strikes the quarter hours on a bell held in his hand, while a genius standing at his side, reverses a sandglass. On the next gallery a skeleton of death, surrounded by four figures representing boyhood, youth, manhood, and old age, strikes the hour with a bone. On the third gallery, at noon of each day, the twelve apostles walk around a figure of the Saviour, bowing at his feet while he makes the sign of the cross. During the procession, a wooden cock perched on one of the pinnacles flaps his wings, stretches his neck, and crows, to the great delight of little folk.

The clock tower of the English House of Parliament contains a notable modern clock. The dials are twenty-three feet in diameter, and are set one hundred eighty feet above the ground. There are three independent sets of clockwork; one turns the hands, another strikes the hours, the third plays a set of chimes. The pendulum is about thirteen feet long and weighs between six and seven hundred pounds. It takes five hours to wind up the striking parts. The large bell on which the hours are struck is called Big Ben. It weighs thirteen tons and in calm weather it can be heard all over London. This clock cost over $100,000. It is considered one of the most accurate of the large timekeepers.

In America, clock making had its beginning prior to the Revolutionary War. The first clocks were tall, eight-day pieces, driven by weights requiring to be wound up but once a week. This style, now known as the grandfather's clock, was made entirely by hand. The works lasted for many years, and were placed in cases varying in style from a rude pine box colored with cheap stain to specimens of the richest cabinet work. This is the style of clock referred to by Longfellow in his well known lines:

The great height of the early clocks was necessary to allow the weights to descend, and to give room for a long pendulum to swing. With the adoption of coiled springs instead of weights, shorter clocks grew into favor, and were made smaller and smaller, until, as a matter of fact, it is now difficult to draw the line between clocks and watches. The largest clock face in the world is said to be that mounted above the Colgate & Co. factory at Jersey City. The minute hand is twenty feet long.

Some idea of the magnitude of the clock-making industry in the United States may be gained from the following statistics taken from our last census report:

The clockmaking industry of the United States is centralized largely in Connecticut. Seven extensive Connecticut factories, with one at Boston and two in the vicinity of New York City, make over one-third of the clocks produced in America. Columbia University claims ownership of a clock that keeps time correct to within six seconds a year.

For an account of the time pieces which preceded the clock, see HOUR GLASS ; SUN DIAL; CLEPSYDRA. Consult also articles on PENDULUM ; STRASBURG ; WATCHES ; BRASS ; BERNE.