The Patient Glass

An hourglass that runs for a single minute each day and is otherwise still.

Description

An hourglass made to measure a single minute. Its sand runs once in each day — beginning at 02:17, lasting one minute — and is otherwise still, in any orientation. It appears built to mark that minute rather than to time intervals freely.

Provenance

Among the collection at the Department's founding; the accession predates the present register, and the origin is unrecorded.

Condition

Glass and frame sound; the mechanism, such as it is, keeps perfect time.

Handling

Working collection. Fellows wishing to see it run should be present before 02:17.