Learn why the Ridgeway Grandfather Clock Company is the Undisputed King of American Grandfather Clock Makers.
All About Grandfather Clocks (Grandfather's Clock)
The Grandfather Clock is also called a Tall Case Clock in other
parts of the world. In America and England, these clocks have been
called grandfather clocks since the late 1800's when an American
songwriter wrote a song about a grandfather clock, called "Grandfather's Clock" that became very popular.
Written
by Henry Clay Work in 1875, this song was inspired by a story he heard
while staying at the George Hotel in Piercebridge, England. The story was of an
old clock that stood in the lobby. The tale of the clock was that when
one of the two brothers who ran the hotel died, the clock started
losing time. No clockmaker was able to fix it. When the other brother
died at the age of 90 the clock stopped permanently, and the hotel
owners decided not to try to fix it. Henry's song was very popular and
from that time through the present, these "Tall Case Clocks" became
known as "Grandfather Clocks". So whether you call them Grandfather Clocks, Grandfather's
Clocks or Tall Case clocks, these are the same large (six to seven foot
tall) floor clocks that we all love so much and that represent such a
symbol of history, heritage, status and refined culture. Not just for
mansions and museums, these fine clocks, often handmade by companies
like Ridgeway, are starting to be found in many upper-middleclass homes
of the 21st century.
What is now known as a Grandfather
Clock was originally conceived by Galileo in 1582 and somewhat
perfected by the Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens in 1656. Further
refinements were made in the 1670's by Robert Hook and Williams Clement with the addition of a longer pendulum and the invention of the anchor
escapement. At this point these early grandfather clocks had become so
accurate that that a minute hand was added for the first time.
Around this time, these clocks started being imported into America,
where only the very wealthy could afford them. Shortly after, American
companies began making these clocks in the new world, in Virginia.
Today, the Ridgeway Clock Company in Ridgeway, Virginia is one of the
oldest clock makers in America and still makes fine Grandfathers Clocks
upholding a tradition of fine craftsmanship. The Ridgeway Clock is a true American heirloom that can be enjoyed by your family for many decades. |
