Harrison's Equipment

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If you think Harrison was amazing, look up the Antikythera machine. Definitely a example of extremely competent workmanship from a long time ago. Skills, to make astonishingly precise mechanisms, have been around for a long time.

Edited By not done it yet on 17/05/2019 20:45:27

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It's worth noting that Harrison's first clocks [before the Longitude competition] were made mostly from wood.

This is a good place to start: **LINK**

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bUxZlSVEAk0

The man was undoubtedly a genius

MichaelG.

.

Concerning Such Mechanism: 

http://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-ZAA-00883/1

and [mercifully] here is an 'accessible translation'

http://www.hsn161.com/HSN/HeskinCSM.pdf

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 17/05/2019 22:27:51

Why is it assumed that Harrison's period was simpler, less stressed and placid?

Worry about the Goddam Yanks, the price of tea, Dr Johnson's English dictionary, the French Revolution, syphilis, slavery, war, etc. etc. etc.

Distractions enough for you?

I understand that Harrison is also credited with making caged ball bearings for his sea-going chronometers, all in the interests of reducing frictional losses as much as possible.

The man was well ahead of his time

Brian

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Its some years ago --- quite some years ! But I visited Greenwich and all Harrisons clocks were on display and running, defiantly worth a visit.

I believe Mr Harrison used several watch & clock makers of the time to assist with making certain parts for has clocks and the final clock was a "giant" size pocket watch design. The powers of the time in the Admiralty resisted him at almost every turn and did not want to accept such humble man could solve the problem -- but he did !

John

Haggerleases,

Nostell Priory, a little north of Wakefield in North Yorkshire. has a running Harrison clock that is on show to the visitors to the building. It is a National Trust establishment and this is the only one of his wooden long case clocks kept running now. There are two other examples, one at the Science Museum, the second is at the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in Guildhall London, This one, the youngest, by about four years, was made in 1717.

In 2008 I made a nylon and aluminium winding key for it to spare NT the use of the only remaining copy of the wooden one they were using at the time, itself a beautifully made copy in boxwood of the original. I never got a word of thanks or even an acknowledgement that it had arrived safely in the post, along with spare parts, which I now understand were separated from it and promptly lost! I do though understand that my key is used.

Engineering in Miniature published an article of mine on the construction of that key in their issue of April 2013

I believe winding days are on Wednesdays at 11 am, it is something of a ritual

Regards

Brian

And now, it's often cheaper to buy a new watch rather than change the battery. My own has a photo cell built into the dial so just needs a sun boost to keep running and a radio beacon to ensure its accuracy.

Wonder what John would have thought of that?

Sad his son received the final part of the "Prise" (!) money after his fathers death.

Regards Ian.