Video Below:
I found this Seth Thomas mechanical metronome in the trash and it was missing the wooden top and the windup key. But I recognized immediately that it would have a spring and gear train.
The first patent issued for a mechanical metronome appears in Germany in 1815, but I was unable to locate the original. The metronome was designed to assist musicians keep the time signature assigned by the composer. This is designated in beats per minute, and the familiar Italian terms, Adagio, Largo, and others to advise at what tempo the musical piece should be played.
The mechanical metronome has been replaced by electronic metronomes that are more accurate, cheaper, and have multifunctional capabilities. The mechanical parts most relevant in the windup metronomes are based on the two elements, the pendulum and the escapement. I was going to post a macro photo of the escapement but found a great animation on horologist.com here. Enjoy the tick, tick, tick, or is it tock?
I found this Seth Thomas mechanical metronome in the trash and it was missing the wooden top and the windup key. But I recognized immediately that it would have a spring and gear train.
The first patent issued for a mechanical metronome appears in Germany in 1815, but I was unable to locate the original. The metronome was designed to assist musicians keep the time signature assigned by the composer. This is designated in beats per minute, and the familiar Italian terms, Adagio, Largo, and others to advise at what tempo the musical piece should be played.
The mechanical metronome has been replaced by electronic metronomes that are more accurate, cheaper, and have multifunctional capabilities. The mechanical parts most relevant in the windup metronomes are based on the two elements, the pendulum and the escapement. I was going to post a macro photo of the escapement but found a great animation on horologist.com here. Enjoy the tick, tick, tick, or is it tock?
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