1714 Harrison of Barrow Mechanism - accurate replica (working longcase clock)
This accurate replica of the 1714 Harrison of Barrow mechanism was filmed at the Clock Exhibition at the Manx Museum on 6th September 2020. Please visit the museum and support their work.
https://manxnationalheritage.im/our-s...
In 1714, the Longitude Act offered £20,000 for solving the "Problem of Longitude". No one had been able to make a clock that could keep time accurately at sea. Harrison realised that this would require an accurate land clock against which any future sea clock could be calibrated. To do this, he invented a precision movement.
He redesigned the Grasshopper escapement and created a temperature compensating gridiron pendulum. Friction in the oak movements was reduced by inventing roller pinions. The maintaining power kept the clock running while winding. The going and striking train wheels were made from wood and Lignum viti wood brushes to self-lubricate and maintain low friction running.
Harrison's first precision longcase clock became the world's most accurate clock, and remained so for the next 150 years.
Music: Evening Fall Harp by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com/music/royalty...)