THE HOROLOVAR FLYING PENDULUM CLOCK
“Ignatz” “The Craziest Clock in the World”
by the editor
The “Flying Pendulum Clock” was invented by Adler Christian Clausen of Minneapolis, Minnesota and patented in 1883. (image of original Flying Pendulum Clock). The clock was manufactured by the New Haven Clock Company under the Jerome & Co. name for about a year (1884-1885). Some 50 years later, in the August 22, 1935 issue of American Collector magazine, Dr. Hugh Grant Rowell – a noted clock collector – wrote of the clock when describing his personal collection. He named this clock, “Ignatz, the craziest clock in the world.” Ignatz, was a character in the Krazy Kat comic strip (1913 to 1944). Krazy Kat, was in love with the mouse, Ignatz, who did not return the sentiment, but would more likely return a well aimed brick to the back of Krazy’s head.
It would be 25 years later, in 1959, when Charles Terwilliger became taken by this clock – so much so that he commissioned a reproduction. The clock’s full title would be “The Horolovar Flying Pendulum Clock ‘Ignatz’ – The Craziest Clock in the World.” Manufactured by Gebr. Staiger, clock factory in St. Georgen, Germany, the clock made it’s debut in the United States in 1960. Reportedly, by 1967, 10,000 clocks had been sold.
The Ignatz came packaged with a reprint of an article from the NAWCC Bulletin.1
Terwilliger writes in the article:
“There’s no doubt about it. Dr. Rowell was correct when he described “Ignatz” as “The Craziest Clock in the World.” There has never been an equal to it in horological history.”
When purchasing the Horolovar “Ignatz” clock, the tongue in cheek nature of this reproduction was clear. This is especially evident in the insert included along with the article reprint in the retail packaging. This instruction booklet, written by Charles’ sister, mates perfectly with the comic nature of the clock’s name and is hinted at by the title:
About THE HOROLOVAR FLYING PENDULUM CLOCK OR How to Live with Ignatz … “The Craziest Clock in the World” WITH INSTRUCTIONS.2
A few excerpts:
“Back in the 1880’s when this ingenious and charming little machine was originally offered for sale, it remained on the market for little more than a year. It never became popular, because the public was not ready for it. The only clocks in general demand were those that were advertised as keeping accurate time.”
“Depend on this clock to get you to the 7:07 every morning and you will almost certainly be relieved of the tensions caused by your job.”
“Its eccentricity as a timekeeper (which it has sometimes been mischievously called) has won it considerable respect among the beatniks, to whom punctuality as a virtue is obsolete.”
Ignatz can readily be found on online auction sites today. Some, advertised as “new in box” may not be in working order as grease inside the spinning hollow rod at the top may have hardened. These are easily fixed by anyone with any clock experience. Additionally, the Horolovar Company services and sells these clocks.
References
1. Ignatz, The Craziest Clock in the World, NAWCC Bulletin NAWCC Bulletin Volume VIII, No 12, Whole No. 82: October 1959, pp 650-659 by Charles O. Terwilliger, Jr.
Members of the NAWCC can read the full article here
2. About THE HOROLOVAR FLYING PENDULUM CLOCK – view pdf version.
Video of “Working” Ignatz – from the collection of the editor
HeroesofHorology.com 