Curator's Chronicles Hello Clocktimers! With summer just around the corner, I am knee deep in preparation to attend the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) Convention which takes place 19-22 June in Pennsylvania, USA. This is probably the biggest event on the American horological calendar, and I’m so excited to attend. Many thanks to the organisers for welcoming the Clocktime Digital Museum in the festivities! I’ll be chairing Dr Taylor’s talk on the Inventive Genius of John Harrison on 19 June, during the NAWCC Museum’s Open House in Columbia PA. I’ll also be giving a talk on 21 June in the York Expo Centre, entitled Total Immersion: Living the life of a horological apprentice in 17th, 18th and 19th century London. This is based on research I am doing in collaboration with Andrew Canter, the Court Assistant and Chair of the Museum Collection Committee of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. Andrew will be joining me live via video link. Throughout the convention you can also find me at the York Expo Centre at the Clocktime Digital Museum table. If you are there, please find me and say hello or email me. We’ve just published an updated story on Clocktime about the famous Mudge Green Chronometer dated 1777 by Thomas Mudge, one of the most talented and significant makers in timekeeping history. The Mudge Green is one of a pair of precision marine timekeepers that he developed in his pursuit of winning the Longitude Prize, and it exemplifies the perfectionism for which he was known. Mudge’s most important and enduring contribution to horology was his invention of the lever escapement around 1755. Its design was a major step forward, because it was self-starting, unlike other escapements. Since the 1800s, it has been the most widely used escapement in watches. As you read this, Mudge’s legacy may well be ticking away on your wrist. As ever, I wish you excellent timing. Until next time Kristin Leith
