Big Ben, Town Hall, train stations. where would towns and cities be without large outdoor clocks?
Large outdoor clocks on public buildings are the oldest types of mechanical clocks with the earliest known appearing throughout Europe around1300. These early clocks had weight driven movements known as "verge escapement" mechanisms and it would be another three hundred years or so before the general workings of them changed.
An example of a "verge escapement" clock is the large "turret" clock from Cassiobury Park . Although originally thought to have been built in the fourteenth century it is now believed to have been built in the sixteenth century. The method of construction, however, is the same as the older medieval clocks, including the Salisbury Cathedral clock, built in 1386 and which is the oldest surviving clock in Britain .
Throughout the ages, regardless of architectural styles or the fashion of the day, outdoor clocks on public buildings have always been seen as necessary fixtures. We see them atop churches, community meeting places, in the marketplace and schools, just to name a few. And no matter what buildings they grace, large outdoor clocks will always turn heads.
Nowadays, most outdoor clocks are electric and their applications are as varied as their indoor counterparts. As well as wall clocks there are also outdoor table clocks to place on the outdoor setting.
As we live more of our lives outdoors, entertaining by the barbecue, splashing in the pool, outdoor clocks are becoming an integral part of our homes.
We may relax in the spa, referring occasionally to the outdoor clock thermometer combination. We then wander down to the barbecue area and, seeing our "significant other" embroiled in deep conversation about fishing tackle instead of tending the barbecue, check the terracotta outdoor clock to see how long the steaks have been on.
The party continues into the night and we smile as our guests dance under a lighted outdoor clock on the patio. We know there's still plenty of time to party because the lighted clock is also an outdoor atomic clock so the time is precisely . early!
Outdoor novelty clocks, outdoor pool and temperature clocks, are just a few of the ways we bring the indoors out of our homes as much as we seek to bring the outdoors in.
Built to withstand changes in temperature and sealed for weather protection, outdoor clocks are ready for anything. Place a tropical fish clock near the fishpond, a rainbow outdoor clock thermometer by the rainwater tank (why not?) and a lighthouse outdoor novelty clock in the garage above the boat.
It's been a long journey since that first mechanical outdoor clock in 1300.
From the earliest of verge escapement mechanisms to pendulum to quartz to atomic, the journey continues. And while some of us cheer as the large outdoor clocks are backlit by fireworks at New Year's celebrations, others of us raise our glasses under the lighted clock in the garden and celebrate the same thing.
Cheers.
