Impulse Clock - James Searle, Melbourne, 1931

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Summary:: Electric impulse clock, made by James Searle, Melbourne, 1931. Commissioned by Melbourne clock collector John Askew to demonstrate the use of the Hipp principle in timekeeping.

Mathias Hipp of Germany designed an electrical impulse clock in the 1830s in which the pendulum received an electro-mechanical impulse only when its swing had decreased sufficiently to trigger an electromagnet. The pendulum drove a ratchet wheel which in turn drove the clock train. Clocks designed to the Hipp principle continued to be used as master clocks into the 20th century.
Description:: Clock mechanism is suspended on a polished backboard.

Electric impulse movement.
Acquisition Information:: Loan & Subsequent Bequest from Mr John Askew, 1931

Discipline:	Technology
Dimensions:	23 cm (Width), 137 cm (Length)

Tagged with:	electric clocks
Themes this item is part of:	Horology Collection, Science & Measurement Collection, John Askew, Clock & Watch Collector (1890-1945)
Primary Classification:	HOROLOGY
Secondary Classification:	Clocks
Tertiary Classification:	australia
Maker:	Mr James Searle, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1931
Commissioned By:	Mr John Askew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1931