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KF5JRV > TECH 27.04.16 13:36l 15 Lines 829 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 2123_KF5JRV
Read: GUEST
Subj: Elephant Clock
Path: IW8PGT<IZ3LSV<F1OYP<ON0AR<GB7CIP<N0KFQ<KF5JRV
Sent: 160427/1123Z 2123@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQK1.4.65
The elephant clock was truly a masterpiece of mechanical engineering.
Invented in medieval times by the brilliant Al-Jazari, this clock was a
beautiful culmination of many different ideas. The design was structured
around a hollow elephant statue.
Various components of the clock were not only placed on top of the
elephant, but housed within it as well. A giant ladle floating in a
water reservoir was hidden in the elephant's head. This ladle took 30
minutes to fill and served as the timing mechanism. When the ladle was
full, it would sink. This, in turn, made a ball drop into the mouth of
a serpent on top of the elephant. The serpent swung down, pulling
strings that caused the elephant rider to pound a drum and signal the
hour. Then, the serpent tipped back to its original position and the
cycle repeated.
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