History of escapement mechanisms

Abstract

This paper describes a history of development one of the most important part of mechanical clock-escapement mechanism. Escapement mechanism is a device designed to maintain a constant average speed of the escape wheel, by allowing it to rotate to the desired angle at certain impulse of time. While doing that it simultaneously support the oscillations of the pendulum or balance spring, by compensating for friction losses and air resistance. 7 century long history of escapement mechanisms, from 13th century verge mechanism up to modern-day escapements that can be found in luxury watches, will be shortly presented. Through lives of famous clockmakers and their achievements in field of making escapement mechanism will be given a new insight in science of time keeping-horology.