Harrison Decoded Towards A Perfect Pendulum Clock

by McEvoy, Rory; Betts, Jonathan

• ISBN13: 9780198816812
• ISBN10: 0198816812
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2020-06-28
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Author Biography

Rory McEvoy, Curator of Horology, Royal Museums Greenwich,Jonathan Betts, Curator Emeritus of Horology, Royal Museums Greenwich

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.

Table of Contents

1. Introducing the precision pendulum clock, Rory McEvoy
2. The origins of John Harrison's 'Pendulum-Clock' technology, Andrew King
3. Introducing Martin Burgess, clockmaker, William Andrewes
4. Rescuing Martin Burgess's Clock B, Donald Saff
5. Reflections on making clocks Harrison's way, Martin Burgess
6. Completing Clock B, Charles Frodsham et al
7. Adjusting and testing Clock B at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, Jonathan Betts
8. Crunching the numbers: analysis of Clock B's performance at Greenwich, Tom van Baak
9. Decoding the Physical Theory of Harrison's Timekeepers, Mervyn Hobden
10. Analysis of the mechanisms for compensation in Clock B, David Harrison
11. Update on Clock B, Rory McEvoy