Rolling Ball Congreve Clock

[DES]

This is a rolling ball Congreve clock, invented by Sir William Congreve, which is a unique variation on a pendulum clock. It has a lengthy track (lower right) and a ball rolls down the track, which then tilts upward, and the ball rolls back again. This repeats over and over as the time-keeping mechanism.

Thanks to A. Foster Cooper for this example. They're fairly rare, as you might imagine.

 

[AlanLichty]

What a cool mechanism for keeping time. Almost a bit of Rube Goldberg tossed to the mix. Is the whole mechanism exposed to provide a show while it keeps time?

 

[DES]

Everything is visible, but covered with a glass cover. You can imagine, if the track gets dusty/dirty, the clock won't keep good time. It was not immediately obvious to me how a person even reads the time! I seem to recall the 3rd dial (not visible) moves in 15 second intervals.

 

[JimFox]

This is totally new to me. What's great with so many of our members here, like yourself, we get educated while also looking at cool photos! Great job on the capture, and thanks for sharing something new (to me at least).

 

[Douglas Sherman]

You should read the book "Longitude." It is the fascinating story of how the chronometer invented by John Harrison solved the problem of determining longitude at sea. It is a classic example of how science works. BTW, neat image.

 

[DES]

I appreciate the reference.....something I have always been curious about.

 

[BlackRockArt]

This is a rolling ball Congreve clock, invented by Sir William Congreve, which is a unique variation on a pendulum clock. It has a lengthy track (lower right) and a ball rolls down the track, which then tilts upward, and the ball rolls back again. This repeats over and over as the time-keeping mechanism.


View attachment 64697

Thanks to A. Foster Cooper for this example. They're fairly rare, as you might imagine.

TIL, I love your capture.

Oliver