Drawing
John Muir's Clock Design
| Sketch of John Muir's clock design.The built clock was a combination of scythes, wheels and arrows. A rough bough of burr oak was set upon a base incrusted with moss. In one of the branches is hanging a miniature scythe with a regularly fashioned snathe and handles. At the place of union were attached two wooden scythes, swelling slightly from each other, but united at the points. Filling the space between the scythes from heels to points was a succession of wooden cog-wheels and small wooden dials. Depending from the scythe points was a wooden pendulum in the shape of an arrow, hanging point down. At its lower end forming the ball of the pendulum, was a cluster of six copper cents in use at that day. To the uppper end of the arrow pedulum was attached two tin copper scythes (also formed out of coins) which, as the pendulum swung, would move as in mowing, the points of the scythes at each swing catching a cog in the little wheel placed there, thus setting in motion the whole machinery. In addition to the records of the larger clock, this one told also the month and the year, and could be attached to the bed alarm. |
| Image ID: | 4949 |
|---|---|
| Creation Date: | circa 1863 |
| Creator Name: | Muir, John |
| City: | |
| County: | |
| State: | |
| Collection Name: | John Muir correspondence and drawings, 1861-1963 |
| Genre: | Drawing |
| Original Format Type: | drawings |
| Original Format Number: | PH 4145 (5) |
| Original Dimensions: | 16 x 14 inches |
| Inventions |
| Clocks and watches |
| Agricultural implements |
| Trees |
| This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society. |
| Location: | Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin |
|---|