Germany Sachsen
The Cuckoo Clock - From Past to Present
Whether it's on the wall of your Grandparents home, shown in toy stores in cartoons, or at your local clock shop, the look and sound of the cuckoo clock is recognized throughout the world. Through legend and lore, fact and fiction, there is still speculation as to the original origin or inventor of the cuckoo clock, but combining researches have put together a popular tale. Whatever arguments there are with regards to the true origin, the ending still comes out the same; A beautifully handcrafted, one of a kind piece of artwork, carved with the generations of experience of the clock makers of the Black Forest .
Most of us associate the cuckoo clock with the Black Forest, they're synonymous with each other. While the Black Forest has long been considered the birthplace of the cuckoo clock, there is documentation that the concept of the cuckoo clock originated elsewhere. In 1629 Philipp Hainhofer (1578-1647) from Ausburg penned the first known description of a cuckoo clock, which was owned by Prince Elector August von Sachsen. Then in 1650, the scholar Athanasius Kircher describes a mechanical organ with several automated figures, including a mechanical cuckoo. The bird automatically opens its beak and moves both its wings and tail. Simultaneously, we hear the call of the cuckoo, created by two organ pipes, tuned to a minor or major third.
Despite the differences in opinion as to who made the first cuckoo clock in the Black Forest, the most popular legend has it that in 1630, a glass peddler from Furtwangen (a region in the Black Forest) met a traveling trader from Bohemia, (a region of the Czech Republic), and brought back a crude, wooden clock, which used wooden gears and common stones as weights. There was no pendulum. Instead they used a piece of wood called a 'Waag' which moved back and forth above the clock dial. Crude or not, this new clock was a major improvement over their current method of using hourglasses and sundials to keep time.
Around 1730, clock makers of the Black Forest developed what is roughly similar to the cuckoo clock we know today. During the brutal winters they would stay huddled up making clocks. When Summer came around they would make a fairly good living by selling their clocks to 'clock carriers,' called 'Uhrschleppers' in German, who would then resell them throughout Europe. Over time, these clocks became more sophisticated with the adoption of new ideas, tools, and skills. People also began to specialize in certain aspects of clock making, such as carvers, case makers, and manufacturers of chains and toothed wheels came into being.
But the cuckoo call as we know it today didn't come about until 1738, when Franz Anton Ketterer (1676-1749), a clock-master from Schonwald [Black Forest] added to his clock a moving bird that announced the hour with the cuckoo-call. The clock-master had designed a system of small bellows and whistles to imitate the cuckoo's call, the same technology used for church organs. To this day, despite some dispute to the fact, Franz Anton Ketterer is still associated with the first cuckoo clock.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Black Forest clock design consisted of a painted flat square wooden face, behind which all the clockwork was attached. The square wooden face represented a shield (called the "Schilduhr", meaning 'shield clock'). On top of the square was usually a semicircle of highly decorated wood which contained the door for the cuckoo. There was no cabinet surrounding the clockwork in this model. This was the most prevalent model for the first half of the nineteenth century.
In the middle of the nineteenth century, there were also cuckoo mechanisms combined with the "Rahmenuhr" (framed-clock). As the name suggests, this clock consisted of a picture frame, usually with a typical Black Forest scene painted on a wooden background or a lithograph. The cuckoo was usually included in the scene, and would pop out in 3D, as usual, to announce the hour.
As the cuckoo clock evolved and became more sophisticated in their designs and decorations, many changes started to evolve. At times, the birds' wings and beaks were animated, and sometimes they were decorated with feathers. The painters used hundreds of themes, including scenes of family, hunting, military motifs, and many other facets of German life. Some were even decorated with porcelain columns and enameled dials.
In 1850, Robert Gerwig, the first director of the Grandducal clockmaker school at Furtwangen, launched a public competition to submit designs for modern clockcases, allowing homemade products to attain a professional appearance. Friedrich Eisenlohr, an architect responsible for creating the buildings along the then new and first railroad line, submitted the most far-reaching design. Eisenlohr enhanced the facade of a standard railroad-guard's residence, as he had built many of them, with a clock dial. This wall clock became the prototype of today's popular Souvenir cuckoo clocks.
When a railroad was built in the Black Forest in the 1860's, a number of tunnels had to be built, and skilled workers were brought in from Italy. They also brought their life styles and architecture with them, building small lookout posts along the railway which were adorned with grapevines, and other Italian influences. Their picturesque structures were the inspiration for the Bahnhausle cuckoo clocks. The Bahnhausle style was starting to develop away from the cuckoo clocks original, crude graphic form, and evolve toward the well-known case with three-dimensional woodcarvings. 1862 Johann Baptist Beha started to enhance his richly decorated Bahnhausle clocks with hands carved from bone, and within a few years, the popular house-shaped Bahnhäusleuhr (Railroad house clock) virtually forced the discontinuation of other designs
The chalet style originated at the end of nineteenth century. There are currently three different basic styles: Black Forest chalet, Swiss chalet (with two types the "Brienz" and the "Emmenthal") and finally the Bavarian chalet. The Chalet cuckoo clock is often wrongly associated with Switzerland. This error is probably due to a story by Mark Twain in which the hero depicts the Swiss town of Lucerne as the home of cuckoo clocks
The basic cuckoo clock of today is the railway-house (Bahnhäusle) form, still with its rich ornamentation, and these are known under the name of "traditional".
Although the concept of placing a cuckoo bird in a clock may not have originated in the Black Forest, it does come from there today, an area in Germany with clock making experience dating back to the late 1600s. The clock makers of the Black Forest are continually evolving and creating new ideas, which has made the cuckoo clock a valued piece of throughout the world. Today, the 'railway house' (Bahnhäusle) form is the kind most often used, its unique, Black Forest design is instantly recognized anywhere in the world.
Still, through all the legends and tales, and design changes throughout the years, the most popular feature which still remains, is the famous cuckoo bird which comes out of its special door in order to sing his song at each hour.
About the Author
See a wide selection of Black Forest cuckoo clocks at tictoccuckooclock.com - See the original article at The Cuckoo Clock - From Past To Present
Dresden... the most beautiful city in Germany!! Music by Silbermond - Nach Haus (at home)
 |
 GERMANY SOVIET ZONE SACHSEN 1945 IRREGULAR PERF MINT Stamp Set BODENREFORM 1 $47.39 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 19m Buy It Now for only: $47.39 Buy It Now |
 Germany 7 Loaded Stock Cards Early + BOB Air Post Sachsen + MNH Used $6.10 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 20h 48m |
 WWI German Sachsen Polizei short swords Sachsen Polizei Saxon Police $699.99 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 37m |
 Germany Revenue Saxony Sachsen Altenburg 8x used 5Mk 1899 wmk up pf 115 $12.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 GERMANY SACHSEN CLASSIC FOLDED LETER HUNGARY $24.98 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 53m |
 Germany Revenue Saxony Sachsen Altenburg 11y MNH 50Mk 1899 wmk down pf 115 $50.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 Buy It Now |
 Germany Zeppelin card Luftschiff SACHSEN 2271914 ek10 $105.75 Time Remaining: 15h 23m |
 IncunabulaMedieval MapDescriptionSachsen Saxony SaxoniaGermanySchedelWct $49.99 Time Remaining: 3d 23h 34m |
 Germany Revenue Saxony Sachsen Altenburg 28 MNH 6M 1922 $60.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 Buy It Now |
 Germany Commemorative Sheet 1945 Sachsen RRRRR $19.99 Time Remaining: 16h 38m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now |
 GERMANY SOVIET ZONE PROVINZ SACHSEN 1946 MINT STAMP SET SACHSEN REBUILDING $3.14 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 19m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 Buy It Now |
 2 Mark 1909 Sachsen Leipzig Germany SUPER UNC RAR SELTEN JARE $150.00 Time Remaining: 1d 55m |
 Germany Provenz Sachsen Wittenberg Lutherstadt Local Invert Overprinted 21 50155 $42.75 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 35m |
 Germany Provinz Sachsen 2 Stamps from Mi 88 series 6+4 42+28 1946 Soviet Zone $4.50 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 53m Buy It Now for only: $4.50 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Germany Hohenpriepnitz Multiview 1912 Hohenoffig PM Postcard $1.00 Time Remaining: 3d 21h |
 Germany Revenue Saxony Sachsen Altenburg 5y 6y used 1899 wmk down pf 115 $10.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now |
 2 Mark 1904 Sachsen Georg Germany SUPER VZ+ RAR SELTEN JARE $140.00 Time Remaining: 1d 1h |
 Germany Revenue Saxony Sachsen Altenburg 6y MNH 150Mk 1899 wmk down pf 115 $8.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $8.00 Buy It Now |
 GERMANY 1945 OST SACHSEN Mi 56 a b c 3Pf MINT $12.50 Time Remaining: 2d 22m |
 Germany state collection SachsenPreussen $71.00 Time Remaining: 9h 29m Buy It Now for only: $82.00 Buy It Now |
 Germany Revenue Saxony Sachsen Altenburg 9y used 10Mk 1899 wmk down pf 115 $14.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $14.00 Buy It Now |
 GERMAN bravery Prussian SILVER award Sachsen Saxony bravery original no loop $75.00 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 32m |
 Germany Revenue Saxony Sachsen Altenburg 5y MNH 1M 1899 wmk down pf 115 $15.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 Buy It Now |
 Special units baret SEK Sachsen Germany $35.00 Time Remaining: 16h 35m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 Buy It Now |
 N65 Germany Sachsen railroad MNH OG $17.10 Time Remaining: 20h 20m Buy It Now for only: $19.00 Buy It Now |
 Germany Revenue Saxony Sachsen Altenburg 3y used 1899 40pf wmk down pf 115 $4.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $4.00 Buy It Now |
 COCKADE KOKARDE SACHSEN WEIMAR Pickelhaube Unteroffizier 50 mm $15.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 32m |
 Germany West Sachsen Saxony Mi 124X 125X MNH Set Falling Watermark Leipzig 50661 $49.35 Time Remaining: 29d 22m Buy It Now for only: $49.35 Buy It Now |
 Germany Altdeutschland Sachsen lot of 6 stamps 150years old $7.00 Time Remaining: 9h 36m |
 Sachsen Hochmoor im Erzgebirge 1952 not used $2.49 Time Remaining: 15h 58m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now |
 GERMANY SOVIET ZONE SACHSEN 1946 IMPERFORATE MINT STAMP REBUILDING 12+8 Pf $23.69 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 19m Buy It Now for only: $23.69 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Jonsdorf Nonnenfelsen 1915 used $4.49 Time Remaining: 15h 58m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now |
 E Martin Sachsen of Germany Violin $750.00 Time Remaining: 6d 6h 48m Buy It Now for only: $750.00 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Leipzig Am Brhl 1971 not used $3.49 Time Remaining: 15h 59m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now |
 Germany SBZ Soviet Zone Wiederaufbau Dessau I III Sachsen Imperf Set MH 50147 $74.55 Time Remaining: 29d 21m Buy It Now for only: $74.55 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Leipzig Messegelnde Haus der Sowjetunion 1953 used $4.49 Time Remaining: 15h 59m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Lichtenstein Sa 1964 used $3.49 Time Remaining: 15h 59m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now |
 Germany SBZ Soviet Zone Sachsen Nieksy Mi SZ6 Se tenant MNH 50162 $38.85 Time Remaining: 29d 21m Buy It Now for only: $38.85 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Phl Talsperre 1969 not used $3.49 Time Remaining: 15h 59m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now |
 GERMANY SOVIET ZONE WEST SACHSEN 1945 USED MARGINAL STAMP DEFINITIVE 60 Pf $23.69 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 19m Buy It Now for only: $23.69 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Rochlitz Zwickauer Mulde used $2.49 Time Remaining: 15h 59m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen REHEFELD Ortsansicht 1954 used $5.49 Time Remaining: 15h 59m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now |
 Germany Revenue Saxony Sachsen Altenburg 10y used 20M 1899 wmk down pf 115 $28.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $28.00 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Groenhain Multi AK 1990 used $2.49 Time Remaining: 15h 59m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now |
 Germany West Sachsen Saxony Mi 120X 123X MNH Set Falling Watermark 50659 $32.55 Time Remaining: 29d 22m Buy It Now for only: $32.55 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Aue Kreis Krankenaus 1955 not used $4.49 Time Remaining: 15h 59m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Bad Gottleuba Sanatorium 1952 used $4.49 Time Remaining: 16h Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now |
 1057 SACHSEN SAXONY STATE GERMANY PS COVER LEIPZIG BAHNHOF HANNOVER $7.00 Time Remaining: 26d 12h 6m Buy It Now for only: $7.00 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Cmmerswalde Rauschenbach FDGB Erholungsheim Paul Gruner 1973 not used $4.49 Time Remaining: 16h Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now |
 GERMANY SOVIET ZONE WEST SACHSEN 1945 USED IMPERFORATE STAMP DEFINITIVE 6 Pf $2.35 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 19m Buy It Now for only: $2.35 Buy It Now |
 Sachsen Moritzburg Schloss 1962 used $2.49 Time Remaining: 16h Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now |
 Michelin Germany Northeast: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Berlin Map (Michelin Regional Maps) List Price: Sale Price: $6.95 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis title offers: better scales (1:300,000 - 1:375 000); comprehensive place name coverage; motorway junction names; colour coded road numbering to correspond with actual road signs; index now includes postal codes; easy to read symbols for petrol stations and motorway services; and additional city approach maps.  |
 SWEATSHIRT BLACK " I LOVE CLASSIC SACHSEN-ANHALT " GERMANY XX-Large Sale Price: $22.99  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 6-10 business days See Reviews For This Product |
 ANTIQUE MAP 1875 LEIPZIG SACHSEN PRAG DRESDEN GERMANY List Price: Sale Price: $33.75 You save: $33.75 (50%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionOld Antique MAP c1790- c1900 date if known in title, purchased at auction from an old antique print dealer.Size of each map varies so check against scale shown which is 0.5 inch apart (1.25 cm) to find the size of the plate... |
 Ieberall Sind Sachsen Sale Price: $11.69 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item. See Reviews For This Product |
 Germany, Sachsen Mug Sale Price: $10.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis is a brand new custom made coffee mug imprinted using the latest sublimation technology. This process embeds the image permanently and gives it a smooth surface with a crisp and vivid image. Design is imprinted on a standard 11 oz white mug and it is dishwasher safe. |
 Andree 1899 Antique Map of Sachsen, Germany See Reviews For This Product DescriptionIf you are looking for an unusual piece of art, to decorate a home or office, these truly "limited-edition" prints are perfect. Antique engravings, & prints are extraordinary examples of the 19th Century printing and engraving arts... |
 Michelin Germany Mideast: Thuringen, Sachsen Map (Regional Maps) Sale Price: $74.35 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis title offers: better scales (1:300,000 - 1:375 000); comprehensive place name coverage; motorway junction names; colour coded road numbering to correspond with actual road signs; index now includes postal codes; easy to read symbols for petrol stations and motorway services; and additional city approach maps. |
 SWEATSHIRT BLACK " I LOVE CLASSIC SACHSEN " GERMANY X-Large Sale Price: $22.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 6-10 business days See Reviews For This Product |
 Schloss Bad Muskau, Sachsen, Germany Giclee Poster Print by Simon Marsden, 24x18 Sale Price: $49.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionArt.com is the world's largest retailer of art prints, posters, photographs, and framed artwork. With our huge selection of over 400,000 prints, you'll easily find the perfect piece for your home, office, or classroom... |
 Michelin Germany Northeast: Mecklenburg-vorpommern, Sachsen-anhalt, Brandenburg, Berlin (Michelin Map) Sale Price: $24.95 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAn annually updated road map of Northeast Germany, covering the main and secondary road networks across the region. Scale: 1/300,000 - 1cm=3km Legend/Key in four languages (German, French, English, Dutch) |
