Electric pendulum

First made in 1910, the electric pendulum Brillé is in fact a “mother clock” which produces pulses in order to command secondary clocks.
It consists of a fixed spool through which passes the beam of the clock consisting of a magnet. This magnet transmits to the spool the pulse producing in its turn an electromagnetic pulse which maintains the oscillation.
The mother clock has its own mechanical movement. It delivers electric pulses to secondary clocks. This idea permitted to distribute hour at a distance with a perfect accuracy.
The idea to use electricity in order to make a central clock distributing hour to periphery clocks goes back to middle 19th century. The first clock of this kind was the English pendulum "Eureka".A Brillé pendulum in perfect condition

The instrument has not been restored.

Data

Inventory Number: 

AST87

Date: 

1935 (c.)

Maker: 

Instrument Categories: 

Places