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The History of Grandfather Clocks Humans
have been keeping track of time throughout the ages using everything from
hourglasses to sundials. During the second half of the 13th century, the very
first mechanical clocks were developed. These early clocks were huge
contraptions made with heavy iron frames and large gears, usually placed in
church towers and striking the church bell on the top of each hour.
Enhancements led to an hour hand and the ability of the clocks to strike
every quarter-hour. Eventually, during the first half of the 15th century,
personal clocks started to appear. As time progressed, these clocks became a
popular fixture in the homes of the upper classes, especially grandfather
clocks. Galileo was first credited with the discovery that a pendulum could be
used to keep time. This led to Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens developing
the first pendulum clock, the prototype for the grandfather clock. These
clocks hung on walls and were affectionately entitled "wags-on-the-wall" due
to their short pendulums. In the mid-1600's, English clockmakers introduced a
clock which was even closer to today's grandfather clock known as the "long
case" clock, which was nearly 6 feet long with a 10-inch pendulum. By 1670, an
even longer pendulum was used, various changes were incorporated, and the
first grandfather clock was produced. The advancements resulted in an increase
in precision that meant the clocks held time to within a few seconds variance
per week. This was the start of the popularity of grandfather clocks due to
their ability to keep time so accurately. A minute hand was added, and
eventually a glass front was introduced to better display the internal
workings of the pendulum, chains, and weights. These lovely timepieces were
not referred to as grandfather clocks but rather were called long case
clocks or floor clocks until nearly 1900. Throughout these early years,
grandfather clocks were made almost exclusively for people of noble heritage.
Though produced in America since the late 1600's, it was not until the 19th
century that grandfather clocks became affordable for everyone. It is our
mission here at The Grandfather Clock Shop to provide these lovely timepieces
at a truly affordable price for everyone. Quality craftsmanship, dependable
movements, excellent woodworking all combine to create a beautiful grandfather
clock in antique and other styles for you or your loved ones.
How Grandfather Clocks Got Their Name
In England's North Yorkshire region, there was a town called Piercebridge
sometime in the late 1700's. In this town was a hotel, known as the George
Hotel, which was a popular place for travelers to stop and rest their horses
while the traveler's went inside for refreshments. This establishment was run
by the Jenkins brothers. As the story goes, there was a long-case clock in
this hotel which reportedly kept remarkably good time. That is, until one of
the two Jenkins brothers passed away. Suddenly, it is said, an odd thing
occurred - the old floor clock began losing time. It started to lose as much
as 15 minutes per day. Then, it lost even more time each day until it was
losing well over an hour each and every day. No clocksmith could repair the
long-case clock, and eventually they all gave up. The clock stayed put in this
hotel. Having been remarkable in its ability to keep time, now it was
remarkable in its lack of accuracy and the strange timing coinciding with the
brother's death. It was the source of much discussion, as the travelers came
and went year after year. As the story goes, another, stranger event took
place. The second brother passed away at the age of 90 and the clock stopped
running completely. Even when wound completely, the clock workings refused to
move and the hands would not turn. When the hotel acquired a new owner, the
old clock was left standing in a corner of the lobby, its hands reportedly
stuck showing the moment that the last Jenkins brother died.
In 1875, Henry Work, an American songwriter, was on holiday in England
and found himself at the George Hotel. The story of the clock was still alive.
It sparked Henry's creativity and imagination. So Henry wrote a song and
published it. His sheet music eventually sold over a million copies. Here
are the lyrics to the song: "My grandfather's clock was too tall for the
shelf, So it stood ninety years on the floor. It was taller by half than the
old man himself, But it weighed not a pennyweight more. It was bought on the
morn on the day that he was born. It was always his treasure and pride, But it
stopped short, never to go again, When the old man died Ninety years without
slumbering. Tic toc, tic toc, His life's seconds numbering. Tic toc, tic toc,
It stopped short, never to go again When the old man died. In watching its
pendulum swing to and fro, Many hours he had spent when a boy, And through
childhood and manhood, the clock seemed to know And to share both his grief
and his joy, For it struck 24 when he entered at the door With a blooming and
beautiful bride, But it stopped, short, never to go again When the old man
died. CHORUS - My grandfather said that of those he could hire, Not a servant
so faithful he'd found, For it kept perfect time and it had one desire, At the
close of each day to be wound. As it kept to its place, not a frown upon its
face, At its hands never hung by its side, But it stopped, short, never to go
again When the old man died. CHORUS - It rang an alarm in the still of the
night, An alarm that for years had been dumb. And we knew that his spirit was
pluming for flight, That his hour of departure had come. Still the clock kept
the time With a soft and muffled chime, As we silently stood by his side. But
it stopped, short, never to go again When the old man died."
Where are we today? Prior to
this song, these clocks had a variety of names such as long case clocks, tall
case clocks, floor clocks, and pendulum clocks. Since the popularity of Henry
Work's song, these clocks have been referred to primarily as Grandfather
Clocks.
It is our mission here at The Grandfather Clock Shop to provide these
lovely timepieces at a truly affordable price for everyone. Quality
craftsmanship, dependable movements, excellent woodworking all combine to
create a beautiful grandfather clock in antique and other styles for you or your loved ones.
If you browse our products you will notice that we have many German and Black Forest "style" clocks that would make a lovely addition to your home. You've found the best clock store online and we are currently offering many decorative clocks for sale. We invite you to browse our website to see everything from our decorative floor clocks to our discount cuckoo clocks.
  We Offer The Best Selection Of Unique Gift Clocks and More!
TheGrandfatherClockShop.com has a great selection of decorative clocks for sale. If you are looking for luxury home decor or a discount floor clock, you've come to the right place. We are dedicated to offer you great ideas for living room decor and much more. We are one of the best clock stores online. Take advantage of our low pricing and browse around our website to find the discount clock you are searching for.
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The Grandfather Clock Shop,
a division of Online Markets,
4044 Ft. Campbell Blvd. Ste. #148
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
***Telephone (270) 399-6543
***Email:Customercare@thegrandfatherclockshop.com***
Copyright © 2006 Online Markets --All rights reserved--
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