For a very long time, and possibly since the beginning of intelligent human thought, man has been using one method or another to mark the passage of time. Originally, the sun, the moon and the stars were used to achieve this. For about 5000 years, there has been some form of clock making. From the beginning, man has been obsessed with time and even now, society is based around time. Some of the most beautiful time-keeping pieces are grandfather clocks.

The origin of the grandfather clock started with Galileo Galilei in 1582 when he discovered that a pendulum could be used for keeping time. Although this discovery belongs to Galileo, the first in a very long line of grandfather clocks was a pendulum clock invented by Christiaan Huygens. Huygens was a Dutch scientist, and his prototype was imitated by many. At first, grandfather clocks were made of cast iron pieces and were mounted on the wall. Before long, they were encased in wood.

Between 1630 and 1730, grandfather clocks were really redeveloped and improved upon. They evolved from those original cast iron wall pieces to floor models that were over 7 feet tall. Their timing was improved as well, from minutes a day to a few seconds a week variance. This made them much more precise and a minute hand was also added. They went from functional time pieces to a true art and pieces of real beauty. They were also encased in glass so that the longer pendulum and weights were displayed.

They were originally made for royalty and nobles, but after some period of time the production costs came down. This meant that while they were still very expensive, families which were not royalty could place grandfather clocks in their homes. In the late 1600’s, these clocks were being produced by Americans. This practice began in New England and later spread to the rest of America. Since they were still very expensive, only wealthy families could afford them. They became a symbol of wealth and status. It is interesting to note that at this point, these clocks were known as ‘wags on the wall’ clocks, ‘long case’ clocks, or ‘floor’ clocks. The name ‘grandfather clock’ came not long after this time period.

While these types of clocks are far more affordable to families today, they are still a mark of taste, class and beauty in the home. They are more enjoyed for their history and their beauty than just their time keeping abilities. They have had a long journey from their beginnings to now, and they are a symbol of history, beauty and craftsmanship.

Posted by Author LaZinnia Manley

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