Verge and foliot escapement
Escape de verga y foliot
- Date
- c. 1300 · confidence medium
- Place
- Northern Italy / England
- Credited to
- Anonymous European
- Field
- Knowledge & symbols
What it is
A mechanism with a crown wheel, a rod (verge) bearing two pallets, and an oscillating bar with weights (foliot) that releases the teeth one at a time. The first mechanical oscillator in history.
What it led to
- tower clocks in every European city by the 14th century
- miniaturisation towards the domestic and pocket watch
- its replacement in 1656 by Huygens's pendulum after 350 years of service
Built on
- Mechanical weight-driven clockc. 1283
- Mechanical weight-driven clock
Made possible
- Public striking tower clock1335
- Astronomical clock (Astrarium)1364
- Pendulum clock1656
- spring-driven clock
- Huygens' pendulum