Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1887 — Curious Tim epieces. [ARTICLE]

Curious Tim epieces.

A visit to the Patent Office in Washington, not long ago, gave us, more than ever before, a realizing sense of the number and variety of mechanical contrivances which have been produced for the purpose of marking the passage of time. Clocks of all sizes and shape may be seen with all kinds of motive power, from the simplest to the most complex and costly. Of these none are of more general interest, perhaps, than the clocks which consist of a plain, glass dial suspended by a fine thread or wire, having the motive power—an ordinary watch movement — concealed in the central bars of the hands, or in the enlarged counterbalance bf one of them. Another contrivance in this line consists of two circular plates of glass mounted in a metal frame or border, and connected by a slender column or foot to a pedestal. In these the figures are marked on the front plate, which is cemented to a brass rim, toothed as a crowned wheel, and driven by & pinion, the stem of which rises from the works in the pedestal. Where three glass plates are used, the short and long hands are fixed to the second and third .plates, and two pinions drive the two head rims of these two plates. An ancient relic of the clock order is now in possession of a citizen of Marietta. Wis. It is 235 years old, and keeps good time. The weight which runs the musical part weighs fifty pounds, and the movement is of wood, lead, and iron. It plays a piece every hour, but is rather hoarse at present from old age. The dial is large, and has the paintings of William Penn describing his history. At the top are five wooden • musicians dressed in uniforms, who raise their instruments to their lips as they begin to play. The case is of maple and mahogany. It was made in the year 1649.