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This book is an exposition of the lesser-known work of one of the giants of the 18th century longitude story, the maverick clockmaker John Harrison (1693-1776). Harrison's background, methodology, and thinking. For those with a practical interest, the book is an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to make a clock of this type.
List of contents
- 1: Rory McEvoy: Introducing the precision pendulum clock
- 2: Andrew King: The origins of John Harrison's 'Pendulum-Clock' technology
- 3: William Andrewes: Introducing Martin Burgess, clockmaker
- 4: Donald Saff: Rescuing Martin Burgess's Clock B
- 5: Martin Burgess: Reflections on making clocks Harrison's way
- 6: Charles Frodsham et al: Completing Clock B
- 7: Jonathan Betts: Adjusting and testing Clock B at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich
- 8: Tom van Baak: Crunching the numbers: analysis of Clock B's performance at Greenwich
- 9: Mervyn Hobden: Decoding the Physical Theory of Harrison's Timekeepers
- 10: David Harrison: Analysis of the mechanisms for compensation in Clock B
- 11.: Rory McEvoy: Update on Clock B
About the author
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.
Summary
This book is an exposition of the lesser-known work of one of the giants of the 18th century longitude story, the maverick clockmaker John Harrison (1693-1776). Harrison's background, methodology, and thinking. For those with a practical interest, the book is an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to make a clock of this type.
Additional text
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.
