John Ellicott (clockmaker) facts for kids
John Ellicott (born 1706, died 1772) was a very famous English clock and watchmaker from the 1700s. He was known for making super accurate timepieces and for his scientific discoveries.
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Who Was John Ellicott?
John Ellicott was born in London. His father, also named John Ellicott, was a clockmaker too. The elder John Ellicott joined a special group called the Clockmakers' Company in 1696. This company was like a guild or club for clockmakers, ensuring high standards for their craft.
A Scientific Mind
John Ellicott Jr. had his clockmaking shop in different parts of London, including near the Royal Exchange. He was very interested in science. In 1738, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This means he was recognized as an important scientist or inventor by a leading scientific group. He even had his own observatory (a place to watch stars and planets) at his home in Hackney.
His Amazing Inventions
Ellicott was famous for inventing special pendulums that could keep time accurately even when the temperature changed. These were called temperature-compensated pendulums. Before this, clocks might speed up or slow down depending on how hot or cold it was. He also used something called a cylinder escapement in his watches. This was a clever part inside a watch that helped it keep time precisely.
Clockmaker to the King
Because of his amazing skill and the high quality of his work, John Ellicott was given a very important job: he became the Clockmaker to King George III. This was a huge honor and showed how respected he was.
Working with His Son
In 1760, John Ellicott's son, Edward, joined the family business. For 12 years, they worked together, making clocks and watches. During this time, their creations were simply signed "Ellicott, London." John Ellicott passed away in 1772, leaving behind a legacy of precision and scientific innovation in clockmaking.
