Verge escapement
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The verge escapement is the earliest known type of mechanical escapement, the mechanism in a mechanical clock that controls its rate by allowing the gear train to advance at regular intervals, or tick
One of the earliest existing drawings of a verge escapement, in Giovanni de Dondi's astronomical clock, the Astrarium, built 1364, Padua, Italy. This had a balance wheel (crown shape at top) instead of a foliot. The escapement is just below it. From his 1364 clock treatise, Il Tractatus Astrarii.
Modern reproduction of an early verge and foliot clock. The pointed-tooth verge wheel is visible, with the wooden foliot rod and suspended weight above it.
Salisbury Cathedral, medieval clock
Salisbury Cathedral 2012 12
Escapement
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An escapement is a mechanical linkage in mechanical watches and clocks that gives impulses to the timekeeping element and periodically releases the gear train to move forward, advancing the clock's ha
Verge escapement
…The verge (or crown wheel) escapement is the earliest known type of mechanical escapement, the mechanism in a mechanical clock that controls its rate by allowing the gear train to advance at regular intervals, or ticks. Verge escapements…
Original drawing (c. 1637) of Galileo's pendulum clock and escapement
Pin wheel escapement of South Mymms tower clock
First detent escapement by Pierre Le Roy 1748
Earnshaw's detent escapement, used widely in chronometers