New mechanical calculation" to show moon phases in mechanical clocks, developed in 1810 by fernando de tapia y castilla

Abstract

Some ancient mechanical clocks were able to indicate moon phases in addition to telling time (its usual labour). This article, which is a contribution to industrial archaeology [1] and machines history, exposes a mechanical solution that Fernando de Tapia y Castilla (1749-1841), famous clockmaker from Alcaĺa la Real (Jáen, Espãna), developed in 1810 to get an higher precision in moon phases indicator than in other mechanical clocks before. This new method was published in his "Nuevo ḿetodo sobre el modo de poner la luna en toda clase de reloges de ruedas con ex̂actitud y sin el herror que hasta ahora se ha observado. Por un ingenio Espãnol aficionado a esta profesíon. Ãno de 1810". © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013.