The Sunday Challenge: Anything to do with the moon.

"The grandfather moon dial clock began appearing during the early part of the 18th century. Tall clocks, during this period, were made by hand. Many wealthy squires took delight in owning a beautiful tall clock that not only told time, but also should the moon's phase. Knowing the correct moon phase was important to those living an agrarian lifestyle. Night trips on horseback, or by coach, were much safer during the light of a full moon. Additionally, farmers could harvest crops under a full moon.

Unfortunately, moon dials also aided the Highwaymen and other criminals of the era. Under the cover of darkness that a new moon offered, criminals could perform dastardly deeds without being identified by their victims. The Grandfather Moon Dial clock is actually a highly accurate lunar calendar and displays the different phases of the moon during a given lunar month. A lunar month consists of one complete lunar phase cycle, which is equal to 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds. You will see the number 29.5 engraved, above the rotating moon dial, on most Grandfather clocks. "

ticktocktony.com/Antique-Clock-History/moon-dial-history.html

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