The History of Grandfather Clocks

Grandfather clocks were originally called longcase clocks or tall case clocks. The pendulum mechanism used to make them has long been used in clocks and was first developed by Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens in the mid-1600s. However, it was William Clement who first began putting pendulum clocks in elaborate cases in the 17th century. His longcase models quickly became popular because although longer pendulums were better for keeping time accurately, they weren’t very pretty. Clement’s design allowed for the clock to be displayed in the upper part, or hood, of the case, while the middle part, or waist, contained the pendulum in a far more visually pleasing way; the base provided support and a place for the clock’s weights. The term “grandfather clock” was introduced in 1876, when Henry Clay Work wrote a song called “Grandfather’s Clock” or “My Grandfather’s Clock.” He was reportedly inspired by a nonworking clock he saw at the George Hotel in North Yorkshire, England. The tune became so popular that the term “grandfather clock” was used to refer to the type of clock from then on. At first, these clocks were reserved for the wealthy, as they were very expensive. But over time, they began to appear in more homes and were often seen as family heirlooms (in part due to their craftsmanship and in part because they were simply so heavy and difficult to move). While analog clocks are no longer as popular as they once were, grandfather clocks are still present in many American homes, hotels, and other buildings.