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Newton's water clocks and the fluid mechanics of clepsydrae

1982; Royal Society; Volume: 37; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1098/rsnr.1982.0004

1743-0178

A. A. Mills,

Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs

Most biographies of Isaac Newton (1642-1727; F.R.S. 1672; P.R.S. 1703-1727) mention a water clock that he is reported to have constructed as a boy when living at Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire. The source of this and other anecdotes concerning Newton’s boyhood (1) is William Stukeley, who made it his business to collect such memories upon retiring to live in nearby Grantham. In a letter (2) dated 26 June 1727 ( i.e. only some three months after Newton’s death) he writes: Moreover Sir Isaac’s water clock is much talked of. This he made out of a box he begged of Mr. Clark’s (his landlord) wife’s brother. As described to me, it resembled pretty much our common clocks and clock-cases, but less; for it was not above four feet in height, and of a proportionable breadth. There was a dial plate at top with figures of the hours. The index was turned by a piece of wood, which either fell or rose by water dropping. This stood in the room where he lay, and he took care every morning to supply it with its proper quantity of water; and the family upon occasion would go to see what was the hour by it. It was left in the house long after he went away to the University.