October 31, 2000
8:03 AM   Subscribe

Even if it didn't just plain old look neat [*large graphic*] the Clock of the Long Now is an awesome idea.
posted by bison (8 comments total)
 
That's just damn pretty lookin'.

Am I correct in my guess that that pic's the prototype? Imagine something like that this size of a grand hallway right smack dab in the entrance library of some part of the Smithsonian (or other impressive science museum :-). That'd be worth the trip to see, definetely.

Great big bonging every century would be a helluva party starter, too!
posted by cCranium at 8:22 AM on October 31, 2000


Stewart Brand's book on the topic is really terrific. Personally, I would dearly love to see this come to be...
posted by m.polo at 9:09 AM on October 31, 2000


I can't help but wonder whether the designers of this device paid any attention to John Harrison's series of clocks designed for the Longitude Prize... mechanics that wouldn't wear out were an obsession of his. He figured out ways of devising bearings that didn't require lubrication, power systems that didn't rely on springs, etc. These were clocks built to keep accurate time indefinitely.

-Mars
posted by Mars Saxman at 11:15 AM on October 31, 2000


More on the long now from Wired. (Great article by Po Bronson.)
posted by fraying at 11:41 AM on October 31, 2000


I know Brian Eno has some part to play in all of this, he constantly seems to do stuff that breaks convention.
I love the idea of this, and that it's all mechanical, the workings remind me of babbage's inference engine.
There was a piece on the radio that mentioned they wanted to design something which would continue working for thousands of years, they'd need mechanics like those devised by Harrison if that were their aim. I hope they come through with it.
posted by Markb at 11:42 AM on October 31, 2000


"I, Borash, am now your leader. All bow before me."

Oops, wrong caption.
posted by dhartung at 12:28 PM on October 31, 2000


I wouldn't mind a clock like that.
posted by Zool at 2:37 PM on October 31, 2000


Brian Eno is involved with the project. Go to the discussion section, click Search and you can do an author search for Brian or Eno or whatever.
posted by lbergstr at 7:58 PM on October 31, 2000


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