Grandfather clocks have not been around forever. Humans have attempted to find the most reliable way to keep track of time since the beginning of civilization. When they first attempted to track time, it was done so through the tracking of the phases of the moon in the nighttime sky. In the earliest days, the seasons, months and years were tracked by carefully monitoring the phases of the moon. As the years passed by, it was the sun and stars that became the known way for civilizations to keep track of time.

The Sumerian civilization began to use the device known as the sundial to break out days into even two-hour blocks. The Egyptian civilization used a device that did the same thing, which became Cleopatra’s Needle. The Ancient Romans were the first to divide the day into day and night increments.

An increasing desire for more precise measurements stemmed the invention of the water clock, and then later on came the hourglass. These two time tracking inventions were limited, as they depended upon water and sand to function properly. Still, people wanted ways to track time that did not depend upon seasonal forces.

The first form of grandfather clocks surfaced in 1582. Although not called that when discovered, Galileo found that a pendulum could be used to track time. Once that was figured out, the designs for a grandfather clock, though he did not build it, were first put into motion. Then, years later in 1656, Christiaan Huygens constructed the first known grandfather clock, putting Galileo’s discovery to use and brought his plans to fruition. Although a significant breakthrough, the clock was not able to keep accurate time. This does not deter from the fact that it was a major breakthrough in the technological world of timekeeping. As the years passed, many inventors put their own touches on this clock to maintain accurate time, but all failed.

Then in 1670, as with most logical reasoning, an edit was made to the clock design. A longer pendulum was put in the clock. Time was kept with pinpoint accuracy from that time on. But it was not until a song from Henry Work in 1875, did we get the name grandfather clock. The name was from one of his songs, and the name has stuck.

The grandfather clocks of today rely on the same form of pendulum swing and the design is the exact same as it was over 100 years ago. It is a piece of technology that time has not yet altered.

Susan Fielding
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/grandfather-clocks-a-history-73561.html

It’s like six dings at eleven o’clock. I can set it to six o’clock to match but then it isn’t six o’clock. Must I unplug it and wait? What should I do?

Try stopping it when it dings. But be sure to count the dings. Then start it back up when the dings will be right. Like if if dings 6 times stop the clock and then start it back up at 6 o’clock. Hope this helps

I’m looking for information on the Kundo clock, its an anniversary clock not sure of the date. It has roman numerals on the face and what appears to be an ivory back ground. Its also a smaller anniversary clock..it also has the names on the back that I think read kenible and obergfel Im having trouble making that out..
I know its a very old clock.

Thank you for your time!!!

Heree is a wbsite with some pictures and explanantions, you may find an answer :

The Roman numeral for 4 is IV, so why do the older and nicer wall clocks of today display it as 4 i’s?

It’s the decision of whoever makes the clock. Here’s a quote from wikipedia "Multiple symbols may be combined to produce numbers in between these values, subject to certain rules on repetition. In cases where it may be shorter, it is sometimes allowable to place a smaller, subtractive, symbol before a larger value, so that, for example, one may write IV or iv for four, rather than iiii."

A carriage clock is a small, spring-driven clock, designed for travelling, developed in the early 19th century in France. The case, usually plain or gilt-brass, is rectangular with a carrying handle and often set with glass or more rarely enamel or porcelain panels. A feature of carriage clocks is the platform escapement, sometimes visible through a glazed aperture on the top of the case.

I think this answers both of your questions. It is used for travel and they are usually beautiful.

What are the different types of grandfather clocks available in the market?

Howard Miller, Seth Thomas, Bulova, Ridgeway, Kieninger, Hentschel, that is what I can think of off of the top of my head

Need a place in the Orange County/ Los Angeles area that specializes in fixing antique clocks.

In Orange County - http://www.prestigeclockrepair.com/

I am not familiar with them.

The site below did one for us and the work was excellent and it was promptly repaired & shipped back.

http://www.abbeyclock.com/clocklinks.html

HAC JUNGHANS AVE MARIA CHIME wall clock

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Black mantel clocks are among the most common and affordable antique clocks. Watch an overview of black mantel clocks in this free video on collecting antique Connecticut clocks from an experienced antique clock collector.

Expert: Bob Frishman
Bio: Bob Frishman is the owner of Bell-Time Clocks, and he has collected and repaired clocks since 1980.
Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

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