Ridgeway Grandfather ClockSince the beginning of civilization, humans have searched for a reliable way to keep track of the time. In the earliest days, months, seasons and years were tracked by careful monitoring of the phases of the moon. Later, the sun and stars were also used to help early people track the passing of time. The Sumerians used the sundial to divide days into two-hour segments. The Egyptians created a device called Cleopatra’s needle to divide their days into two-hour segments while the ancient Romans devised a way of dividing time into night and day. A pressing need for more precise measurements led to the invention of the water clock and then the hourglass. These inventions were limited as they relied on water and sand, respectively, to function. The search continued to search for a way of tracking time independent of the seasons or nature. In 1582, Galileo discovered that a pendulum could be used to track time. He drew the first designs for a grandfather clock, though he did not build it. Finally, in 1656, Christiaan Huygens built the first known grandfather clock, putting Galileo’s discovery to use. Though the clock did not keep accurate time, it was a major breakthrough in timekeeping technology. Through the years, various inventors tried to improve on the design, but with little luck. Finally, in 1670, William Clement discovered that the clocks worked better with a longer pendulum. Of course, this required a taller clock. Clement named his newly designed clocks long-case clocks. This was the predecessor of the grandfather clocks that we know today.  In 1875, Henry Work wrote the song “My Grandfather’s Clock” and the name stuck and finally, after many years in the making, grandfather clocks were born. So why the history lesson, you ask?  Well, I’ve been fascinated by time for as long as I can remember, and lately I’ve been thinking about the grandfather clock that has been in my family for … well … ever.  The constant ticking of a grandfather clock is quite satisfying.  It’s a constant reminder that the world continues, even though we might have stopped for a moment, and the rich sound of the chimes give us a quick reference to the time of day so long as we’re within earshot. Now that Reiko and I are starting to look for our first home, we’re also thinking about what furnishings we might purchase.  A little while ago I had found the perfect Howard-Miller clock, but never had the room in the small apartments.  So long as we can find a decent sized home, I think the time has come to purchase a "family clock". That said, Reiko and I will be moving several times in our lives, potentially in both Canada and Japan.  Most people I know with grandfather clocks have lived in the same house for 20+ years and will likely stay in that home for the rest of their lives.  So how should I move the clock?  Should I move the clock?  Or would it be better to just wait until Reiko and I have retired to make the purchase? Luckily, no.  Grandfatherclocksblog has a solid article about how we should prepare clocks for transportation. Now the next part of the equation … getting Reiko to agree on a grandfather clock … :P