“Clocks in isolation are being treated as works of art, like paintings hung in a gallery. Their visual appearance is the primary information transmitted. But how much more there is to be understood about a clock! How does it work? What was its intended use? How did its creator strive to solve the identical problems that have confronted every clockmaker throughout history? And what meaning did the clock have for its maker and owner beyond the mere function of timekeeping?” (Friedman, 280)
The collection of historical clocks in the Champaign-Urbana area would appeal to a wide variety of users: from people interested in local history to staff and students at the University of Illinois to individuals with a love for historic clocks. The group this project addresses is the people interested in local history. These users are very demanding about the information they want when viewing these clocks. They do not just want to look at the individual clocks; they want the clocks placed in a historical context. These individuals need for the information to be easily accessible and convenient. While the Clock Tour provided by Emeritus Professor Bruce Hannon on the University of Illinois campus provides the required information, it is not convenient for everyone. Providing a digital tour of the clocks of historic significance in the Champaign-Urbana area would make it accessible, while preserving the information for future generations. At this time, there is not a digitized representation of the clocks in existence. Bruce Hannon stated that he “would love to have the tour digitized.” (Hannon, e-mail) The 10 historical clocks in the Champaign-Urbana area, combined with their digital surrogate, would serve the needs of those people with an interest in the history of the local area.
Betts, Jonathan. “Problems in the conservation of clocks and watches.” The Conservator. 9, no. 1 (1985):36-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01410096.1985.9995002. Accessed December 6, 2012.
Friedman, Alan J. “The Clockwork Universe.” Technology and Culture. 25, no. 2 (Apr., 1984): 280-286. Johns Hopkins University Press on behalf of the Society for the History of Technology. http: //ww.jstor.org.proxy2.library.illinois.edu/stable/3104715. Accessed December 6, 2012.
Hannon, Bruce M. “Re: Clock Tour.” Message to Susan Grubb. 5 October 2012.
Harding, Keith. “Restoration, new clocks for old.” Antique clocks, the magazine for horological collectors and restorers 11, no 3 (1988): 20-24. http://www.bcin.ca/Interface/openbcin.cgi?submit=submit&Chinkey=93366. Accessed December 6, 2012