Knowledge Physicists, astronomers, architects, geometricians, mathematicians, chronometer-makers, watchmakers: these are just some of the interested people who, through the years, have displayed a passion for the measurement of time. Their research led to major discoveries and inventions that are still relevant today. Whether physical or geometrical theories, natural laws or mechanical applications, their fundamental contributions have all made it possible to measure time with greater accuracy, to create timepieces to ever higher specifications while allowing aesthetic qualities to become more refined, and even to design increasingly efficient and modern production methods.
Robert Hooke
(1635 - 1703)
English geometer and physicist. Horology owes to him the invention of a clock with a conical pendulum, the recoil escapement enabling the amplitude of clock-pendulums to be considerably reduced, and a watch with two balances. Hooke thought of using a spring to regulate the movement of the balance; he even claimed (falsely) to have invented the balance-spring. Fellow and secretary of the Royal Society, London.