History of Grandfather Clocks

A grandfather clock is a floor clock that is operated by the movement of a swinging pendulum and suspended weights enclosed in a tall cabinet. The pendulum swings back and forth by the force of gravity allowing the weights to drop at given paces. The functions of the clock are then driven by the movement of the weights. The weights are either suspended by chains or cables and need to be adjusted periodically to keep proper time. Grandfather clocks are very accurate and can keep time to within one minute per month.

The man said to be responsible for inventing the first grandfather clock was celebrated Dutch astronomer and physicist Christian Huygens who developed a pendulum style floor clock around 1657. Huygens' clock was described as keeping a 'more even' time than any known clock of its day. The device that kept this clock so regular was called the pendulum (the long swinging weight inside the wooden case).

In about 1660 London clockmakers improved Huygens' invention by making the grandfather clock as we know it today. It stood about six-feet tall in a well-crafted wooden case, with an enclosed pendulum and weights.

Over the years clockmakers elongated the pendulum for greater accuracy, enhanced the craftsmanship of the wooden case and added chimes. Today grandfather clocks are a great symbol of time and antiquity, acting as family heirlooms and museum quality relics.