Hooke invents the duplex escapement The duplex escapement was invented by Robert Hooke around 1700. Initially, this type of escapement had two escape wheels, was not self-starting, and was difficult to make. Despite these disadvantages, it achieved far greater accuracy than its most recent predecessor, the cylinder escapement. Later, around 1760, the design was refined by Thomas Tyrer. A drawing of Tyrer’s duplex escapement design is displayed here. Image Credits Memorial portrait of Robert Hooke with a barometer. Rita Greer, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons Drawing of duplex escapement, invented by Thomas Tyrer around 1760. Harry Leonard Nelthropp, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
