Scientist / horological inventor
Christiaan Huygens
Physicist who designed the first pendulum clock (1656) and the spiral balance spring (1675).
Huygens' clock was built by the Hague clockmaker Salomon Coster under a 1657 privilege. He published Horologium Oscillatorium in 1673. Priority for the balance spring was disputed with Robert Hooke.
- Country
- Netherlands
- City
- The Hague
- Founded / active
- 1629–1695
- Status
- Historical individual
- Key people
- Christiaan Huygens, Salomon Coster
Innovations
- Pendulum clock
- Spiral balance spring
- Cycloidal cheeks
