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A clockmaker is an who makes and/or repairs clocks and other timepieces, a profession rooted in the of horology. The term "clockmaker" emerged in the mid-15th century, combining "clock"—derived from the clocca meaning "bell," reflecting early clocks' use of striking mechanisms—with "maker." Clockmaking originated in during the late , with mechanical clocks likely invented in or , initially as imprecise weight-driven devices powered by falling weights and featuring verge-and-foliot escapements for rudimentary time regulation. These early timekeepers, often installed in churches and public spaces like the 1386 , marked the shift from sundials and water clocks to mechanical systems, driven by monastic needs for timing and growing demands for communal . By the , clockmaking had evolved into a distinct skilled , separate from blacksmithing and , requiring expertise in , gear-cutting, and . The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, founded in by in 1631 under I, became the world's oldest horological , regulating training, quality, and production to meet rising demand for domestic and . Key innovations included ' 1656 , which vastly improved accuracy, and the development of spring-driven mechanisms enabling portable clocks and watches. Notable figures like , dubbed the "father of English watchmaking," advanced balance-wheel designs in the late 17th century, while John Harrison's 18th-century marine chronometers solved problems at sea through temperature-compensated balance mechanisms using the gridiron principle. In colonial America, clockmaking blended European traditions with local ingenuity; Philadelphia emerged as a hub in the , where artisans like crafted orrery-integrated tall-case clocks, viewed as intellectual pursuits demanding scientific knowledge alongside craftsmanship. The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century introduced mass production techniques, such as Chauncey Jerome's 1830s brass-stamping methods, reducing costs and making affordable mantel and wall clocks widespread, though diminishing the artisanal role. Today, with most timepieces factory-produced, clockmakers primarily focus on restoration and conservation, preserving historical mechanisms in institutions like the Clockmakers' Museum at London's , which houses over 600 watches and 90 clocks spanning four centuries. This shift underscores clockmaking's transition from a vital craft to a specialized heritage practice, influencing modern .

References

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