Syntopia » Time http://blog.hvidtfeldts.net Generative Art, 3D Fractals, Creative Computing Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:34:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 The Clock of the Long Now http://blog.hvidtfeldts.net/index.php/2007/06/the-clock-of-the-long-now/ http://blog.hvidtfeldts.net/index.php/2007/06/the-clock-of-the-long-now/#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:30:04 +0000 Mikael Hvidtfeldt Christensen http://blog.hvidtfeldts.net/?p=14 Continue reading →]]> Attempting to build a clock that will run for 10000 years is a daunting task.

Never the less, that is exactly what the Long Now Foundation is trying to do.

The clock uses binary digital logic, but is mechanical. Time is stored as a 28-bit number where each bit is represented by a mechanical lever.

It is built using the following principles:

  • Longevity: With occasional maintenance, the clock should reasonably be expected to display the correct time for the next 10,000 years.
  • Maintainability: The clock should be maintainable with bronze-age technology.
  • Transparency: It should be possible to determine operational principles of the clock by close inspection.
  • Evolvability: It should be possible to improve the clock with time.
  • Scalability: It should be possible to build working models of the clock from table-top to monumental size using the same design.

The 10000 Years Clock: Prototype I

The 10000 Years Clock: Prototype I.

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