Man’s efforts at time keeping began with the sun dial and the hourglass. Galileo learned that a pendulum was useful in tracking time. With further development, longer pendulums provided greater accuracy so some clocks evolved into floor models that stood over seven feet tall and included a glass panel in front so the pendulum and weights would be visible. Known as Longcase Clocks, they were very expensive, found only in the homes of wealthy families or well-established businesses.

The Jenkins brothers managed the George Hotel in Yorkshire, England and were very proud of their Longcase clock, which was renowned for its precision. One of the brothers died suddenly and after that the clock started losing time. Despite repeated repair attempts, the problem persisted. And when the other brother died at age ninety, the clock stopped altogether.

Henry Work stayed at the hotel in 1875. Having seen for himself that the hands of the clock remained just where they had stopped that day, he wrote the song “My Grandfather’s Clock.” Since then, these clocks have been known as Grandfather Clocks.

Longcase Clocks under six feet are often called Grandmother Clocks and those under five feet are sometimes called Granddaughter Clocks.