Sunclock by William Ernest Cooke
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1922
This heliochronometer, or sunclock, was designed and produced by the Government Astronomer of New South Wales, William Ernest Cooke, circa 1922. The instrument is constructed of brass and features a dial marked with the designer's name.
It functions by allowing the user to adjust its arms to account for latitude, the time of year, and standard time. A beam of sunlight is directed through an aperture in one arm onto a scale on the opposite arm; this movement, facilitated by a internal gear train, shifts the clock hands to display Standard Time. While Cooke had created an earlier iteration around 1907, this refined model led to the formation of Cooke's Sunclocks Limited in 1926.
Despite commercial distribution efforts within Australia and limited international sales, production eventually ceased due to the high costs associated with marketing and logistics.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Other sundial
- Maker
- William Ernest Cooke
- Dimensions
- 26 cm x 11 cm x 20 cm
- Acquisition
- Bequest from Mr John Askew, 1933
- Inscription
- W. E. Cooke's Sunclock patent applied for
- Manufacturer
- Cooke's Sunclocks Limited
- Place recorded
- Australia
- Maker / attribution
- William Ernest Cooke
- Registration number
- ST 19074
Design
- Visible features
- • Circular clock dial with Roman numerals • Visible gear-train mechanism behind the main dial • Adjustable arms with a central aperture for sunlight • Brass construction throughout the main assembly
- Provenance and Documentation
- This specific object is recorded under registration number ST 19074. It entered the collection through a loan and subsequent bequest by Mr. John Askew, finalized on May 30, 1933. The object is categorized under the museum's science and measurement collecting areas. Physical inspection indicates the dial carries the mark 'W. E. Cooke's Sunclock patent applied for,' providing primary evidence of its status during the production phase of the company.
- Mechanical Design and Operation
- The sunclock operates as a heliochronometer, utilizing solar positioning to determine the time. The physical configuration consists of a brass assembly where the hands of the clock are linked via a train of gears to two pivoting arms. By adjusting these arms according to the local latitude and the specific time of year, the user aligns the device with the solar path. To operate the device, the arms are positioned until a beam of sunlight passes through a hole in one arm and strikes a specific line on the other. This mechanical alignment triggers the gear train, which subsequently adjusts the hands on the clock face to indicate the accurate Standard Time. The design reflects an attempt to achieve high precision in solar timekeeping through calibrated manual adjustment.
- Historical Context and Development
- William Ernest Cooke, the Government Astronomer of New South Wales, was the primary innovator behind this project. He initially developed a prototype around 1907 while serving as the Government Astronomer of Western Australia. This improved model from circa 1922 represents a progression of his earlier scientific interests in solar measurement. Following the design of this model, Cooke moved toward commercialization. Patents for the device were pursued beginning in 1923, and in 1926, the company Cooke's Sunclocks Limited was established to manage the manufacture and sale of the units. While several hundred clocks were produced and distributed domestically and overseas, the company faced significant financial challenges regarding marketing and distribution, leading to the end of production.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Exact production numbers are not confirmed
- Research required: Patent status at time of manufacture remains defined only as 'patent applied for'