JOOST BÜRGI

SWITZERLAND, 1552 – 1632

Jost Bürgi was a horologist, astronomer and mathematician who developed a series of inventions that improved the accuracy of mechanical clocks. This includes the invention of the first minute hand in 1577, the crossbeat escapement in 1584 and the gravity remontoire around 1595. Thanks to his efforts, clocks became accurate enough that they could be used as scientific instruments for the first time. In 1603, he moved to Prague, where he worked as the imperial clockmaker to Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II. Several of Bürgi’s clocks can be found in museums all over Europe.