Copper hot air balloon clock

[Copper hot air balloon clock]

Copper hot air balloon clock, France, 19th century, with a height of 60 cm and a diameter of 16 cm
On the marble base of this clock stands a copper pillar, with a horizontal bar protruding from the head to support the spherical clock. The front of the ball is a clock dial with a single set of two needle clocks, and the clock machine is installed inside the ball. Outside the ball, a copper wire rope was used to pull a net over the ball, and a basket fell from the net. Inside the basket stood a sailor holding a boat anchor. A rod is hung from the center of the lower part of the ball, forming a pendulum. The lower pendulum is placed inside the basket and connected to the basket. The up and down positions of the pendulum can be adjusted by means of a knob. The bracket supports the balloon with a movable shaft. After the upper chord is activated, the dynamic swing of the movement inside the ball drives the ball to swing, and the basket outside the ball also swings synchronously
In the 19th century, European scientists repeatedly experimented with taking hydrogen balloons to explore the mysteries of the atmosphere. The shape of this clock reflects this technological activity in Europe at that time.