[time-nuts] Re: Ship's clocks @ The Royal Society

[Trent Piepho]

On Sat, Jul 1, 2023 at 2:06 PM Poul-Henning Kamp via time-nuts
<time-nuts at lists.febo.com> wrote:
>
> With the benefit/handicap of Adam Savage (cross out the not wanted)
>
>         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj3ZUeMVPCs

At 12:06, I wonder if Adam is prompting the curator to explain the
fusee?  Unfortunately, he doesn't know.

The conical shape of the cylinder the chain wraps around is meant to
equalize the torque from the mainspring as it winds down.  It was a
major horological invention and used for hundreds of years.  The size
and thickness of the fusee mechanism, and the cost and durability of
the tiny chain, were major disadvantages in pocket watches and
wristwatches.  The development of escapements that were less sensitive
to the driving torque replaced it.