ORRERY -1983

Description

This fine gear driven Orrery was built by me 40 years ago. It has been in my workshop for a number of decades ago and now needs to find a home. It was a first in a series which included smaller and larger instruments.  The base is mahogany, measures 7" in diameter, and stands 15" high. There is a small brass crank which sets the nine planets of the solar system in motion. The sun is of copper and fits on a threaded rod. Each arm is machined of brass, and slides on the gear driven spline shaft. There are about thirty gears to make the motion happen. I remember when I first put it together and turned the crank, I was just amazed to watch it; each planet wandering around the copper sun. The Smithsonian in Washington DC bought a number of them and quickly sold all of them (at 00) back in 1983.  I am including a few pictures of other models I have made in the past, but no  examples exist. This is the only one I have.