The Kosmic Clock

By: Dan Hudon

Sanford Fleming

• Immigrated to Canada in 1845 from Scotland

• Worked as a surveyor

• Proponent for standard time & a prime meridian

• Proponent for the 24 hour clock

Background:

• Henry E. Waite donates the Kosmic

Clock to The Royal Canadian

Institute for Science

• He is one of three men listed on

Patent #1

• Involved in lobbying The E. Howard

Co. to produce a prototype

No. 70 E. Howard & Co. Clocks

• Clock cases range in size from 31 to 56 inches in length

• Dials range from 12 to 24 inches

• Case style is similar

• Two types of escapement: Deadbeat and Recoil

12” dial X 31” height 24” dial X 56” height

The Kosmic Clock

• One of the smaller sized No. 70 clocks

• Holds the patent mechanism

• Third smaller hand indicates Greenwich Mean Time

• Time only clock

• Dial portion stands proud

about 1” from the base

• Case is made of cherry

Kosmic clock side view showing thicker upper body

The Dial:

Behind the Dial:

The heart of the assembly

Close up of actuator pin

Complete assembly

Close up of numeral block

Numeral Blocks:

The Pendulum:

• Has a brass ring

• Rod is made out of wood

• Bob is made of brass with

damascened finish

The Movement:

• Single train

• English style

• Front mounted suspension bridge

• Large wheels

• Four wheel train

• Runs 7 days

The Weight:

• The No. 70 weight is about 9 lbs

• The Kosmic Clock weight is 12 lbs

Replacement Parts:

Things to note:

Dial and patent mechanism must be removed before

removing the pendulum

No easy access to the cable

Cable must be affixed to the pillar properly or else it

will wear

What the Clock Represents

• A 24-hour clock in line with Fleming’s desire for universal time

• By this time in 1888, Greenwich was chosen as the prime

meridian, which explains the smaller third hand.