The world's tallest grandfather clock is 35 feet 10 inches (10.92 m) tall and is fully operational, with chimes on each quarter hour. There are also so-called 'grandmother' and 'granddaughter' clocks, which are slightly shorter. Grandfather clocks are of a certain height, usually at least 1.9 metres (6 ft 3 in). The story inspired Henry to create the song. After the first owner died, the clock became inaccurate, and when the second owner died, the clock stopped working altogether. When he asked about the clock, he was informed that it had had two owners. The song was composed by the American songwriter Henry Clay Work, who discovered a longcase clock in The George Hotel in Piercebridge, County Durham, England. Clock face circa 1730 Timothy Mason (clockmaker) of Gainsborough The Oxford English Dictionary states that the popular 1876 song My Grandfather's Clock is responsible for the common name 'grandfather clock' being applied to the longcase clock. Naming Longcase clock circa 1730 by Timothy Mason (clockmaker) of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Today, they are kept mainly for their decorative and antique value, having been superseded by analog and digital timekeepers. Until the early 20th century, pendulum clocks were the world's most accurate timekeeping technology, and longcase clocks, due to their superior accuracy, served as time standards for households and businesses. The English clockmaker, William Clement, is credited with developing the form in 1670. The case often features elaborately carved ornamentation on the hood (or bonnet), which surrounds and frames the dial, or clock face. Clocks of this style are commonly 1.8–2.4 metres (6–8 feet) tall with an enclosed pendulum and weights, suspended by either cables or chains, which have to be occasionally calibrated to keep the proper time. This clock is on display in The Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai and was donated by Dorab Tata.Ī grandfather clock (also a longcase clock, tall-case clock, grandfather's clock, or floor clock) is a tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock, with the pendulum held inside the tower or waist of the case. The lower part of the case depicts mythological scenes and the case was manufactured at the Madras School of Arts. The front and the side panels are done in metal repoussé work with floral meanders. The original long-case was also replaced by a mandapa-shaped wooden carved case done in South Indian style. The original dial of this clock was replaced by a brass dial with Tamil numerals, perhaps around the same time as the case. This example dates back to 1700 and the case to late 19th – early 20th century. For other uses, see Grandfather Clock (disambiguation).

Pendulum clock