Harrison Decoded
Towards a Perfect Pendulum Clock
Published on 29. June 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-0-19-889267-0 (ISBN)
Description
Harrison Decoded: Towards a Perfect Pendulum Clock brings together the output of a forty-year collaborative research project that unpicked and put into practice the fine details of John Harrison's extraordinary pendulum clock system. Harrison predicted that his unique method of making pendulum clocks could provide as much as one-hundred-times the stability of those made by his contemporaries. However, his final publication, which promised to describe the system, was a chaotic jumble of information, much of which had nothing to do with clockwork. One contemporary reviewer of Harrison's book could only suggest that the end result was a product of Harrison's 'superannuated dotage.'
The focus of this book centres on the making, adjusting, and testing of Clock B which was the subject of various trials at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The modern history of Clock B is accompanied by scientific analysis of the clock system, Clock B's performance, the methods of data-gathering alongside historical perspectives on Harrison's clockmaking, that of his contemporaries, and some evaluation of the possible influence of early 18th century scientific thought.
The focus of this book centres on the making, adjusting, and testing of Clock B which was the subject of various trials at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The modern history of Clock B is accompanied by scientific analysis of the clock system, Clock B's performance, the methods of data-gathering alongside historical perspectives on Harrison's clockmaking, that of his contemporaries, and some evaluation of the possible influence of early 18th century scientific thought.
Reviews / Votes
This is an intriguing book that anyone interested in clocks and their history will enjoy. * John Haine, University of Bristol, Journal for the History of Astronomy * Revolutionary work. * Bob Frishman, Kronoscope * The essays in this fascinating book effectively chart the progress of an extraordinary experiment, conducted over decades but with a recent, and very remarkable outcome * James Nye, The Antiquarian Horological Society Chairman * Combining historical context, technical details and experimental information, this well-illustrated edited collection describes the challenges as well as the delights of historical reconstruction. * Patricia Fara, Emeritus Fellow of Claire College, Cambridge * The authors provide a wonderful vindication of a native genius, following the original work of Martin Burgess. They give us an explanation of an alternative technology to the one accepted for the past 300 years, when it comes to the design of a mechanical precision timekeeper. * Anthony Randall, Winner of the Tomplon Medal from The Clockmaker's Company * This authoritative and accessible collection of essays tells the fascinating story of [the great clockmaker John Harrison], and how Harrison's enigmatic and astute eighteenth-century account of high-reliability pendulum motion and timekeeping was at last vindicated. * Simon Schaffer, University of Cambridge *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
82 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 138 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
268 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-889267-0 (9780198892670)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/2020
Oxford University Press
€106.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Rory McEvoy has worked in horology for over twenty years. Following a postgrad diploma at West Dean College, Chichester, he practiced in conservation of antique clocks and watches before joining a London auctioneer as a specialist. Since 2010, he has worked at the Royal Observatory as Curator of Horology. Research interests include: timekeeping and astronomy, the development of the precision pendulum clock with particular focus on the work of George Graham FRS and the historical practice of measuring time in the laboratory.
Jonathan Betts MBE, FSA, FBHI, FIIC, FRSA was appointed Senior Horology Conservator at the NMM in 1979, and Senior Curator of Horology in 2000. He is Vice Chairman of the Antiquarian Horological Society, is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers (2014) and a Trustee of the Institute of Conservation. In 1989 he received the NMM Callender Award, in 2002 the Clockmakers' Company's Harrison Gold Medal, in 2008 the BHI Barrett Silver Medal and in 2013 the Plowden Medal (RWHA) for his contribution to Horology Conservation.
Jonathan Betts MBE, FSA, FBHI, FIIC, FRSA was appointed Senior Horology Conservator at the NMM in 1979, and Senior Curator of Horology in 2000. He is Vice Chairman of the Antiquarian Horological Society, is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers (2014) and a Trustee of the Institute of Conservation. In 1989 he received the NMM Callender Award, in 2002 the Clockmakers' Company's Harrison Gold Medal, in 2008 the BHI Barrett Silver Medal and in 2013 the Plowden Medal (RWHA) for his contribution to Horology Conservation.
Content
1: Introducing the precision pendulum clock by Rory McEvoy 2: The origins of John Harrison's 'Pendulum-Clock' technology by Andrew King 3: Introducing Martin Burgess, clockmaker by William Andrewes 4: Rescuing Martin Burgess's Clock B by Donald Saff 5: Reflections on making clocks Harrison's way by Martin Burgess 6: Completing Clock B by Charles Frodsham et al 7: Adjusting and testing Clock B at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich by Jonathan Betts 8: Crunching the numbers: analysis of Clock B's performance at Greenwich by Tom van Baak 9: Decoding the Physical Theory of Harrison's Timekeepers by Mervyn Hobden 10: Analysis of the mechanisms for compensation in Clock B by David Harrison Appendix: Update on Clock B by Rory McEvoy