INDEX & INTRODUCTION TO
A SERIES OF 5 ARTICLES ON

The Invention of the
Pendulum Clock.

INTRODUCTION

The exhibition:

Innovation & Collaboration
The early development of the pendulum clock in London

was held at Bonhams London
from 3 till 14 September 2018.

First and foremost, the initiators, organisers and anyone involved in the collecting and exhibiting
of these magnificent early clocks deserve our utmost respect and gratitude.

Despite the beautiful exhibition, we however strongly object to the poor research method, the text and conclusions of Richard Garnier’s and Leo Hollis’ research as well as to the new interpretation of the famous Coster-Fromanteel contract. As a result hereof, the attribution of exhibit numbers 23 and 24 to specifically John Fromanteel is unjustified.

Garnier’s and Hollis’ research is predominantly based upon assumptions, interpretations and
probabilities and not on historical facts and scientific evidence.

Richard Garnier & Leo Hollis

They have tried to clarify the specific role of Christiaan Huygens, Salomon Coster and John and
Ahasuerus Fromanteel in relation to the history of Drebbel, Hartlib and Wallis and their mutual relations.

Due to a combination of language barrier, insufficient archive research, lack of Dutch historical archive knowledge and Fromanteel tunnel vision, they failed to make their new theory credible.

Notwithstanding the fact that there is no or almost no evidence of Fromanteel’s involvement in the early development of the pendulum clock, there is on the other hand an overwhelming amount of historical as well as scientific evidence of Salomon Coster’s involvement.

Sadly enough, this casts a shadow over what was intended to be a once in a lifetime exhibition.

The conclusion of Garnier’s and Hollis’ research calls for a well-founded scientific reply. Our four
articles published here are written in relation to their publication and meant to put the historical
puzzle pieces back into their rightful place.

Content:
 
Part 1: The real story.

Part 2: The workshop of Salomon Coster.

Part 3: Dealing with and interpreting historical sources.

Part 4: The Sequel, more inventions.

Part 5: Salomon Coster the clockmaker of Christiaan Huygens