Looking for a new clock but hate the fact that all the numbers are always in the correct order? Look no further than [Andy]’s topsy turvy clock which correctly tells time despite the fact that the numbers on the face of the clock are in random positions.
At first glance, the clock looks fairly normal despite the mixed-up numerals. Upon closer inspection, the clock is much more than it appears to be. A battery backed real-time clock keeps track of time, and a microcontroller turns the hands of the clock to where they need to be. The clock uses optical sensors to make sure the hands are in the correct starting position when it is first powered on.
Check out the video below for a better illustration of what the clock looks like when in operation. The hour hand is always pointing at the correct hour, and the minute hand starts every five minutes at the number it would have started at on a normal clock, i.e. at 1:15 the hour hand will point at “one” and the minute hand will point at “three”.
We love this very interesting and unique take. It was inspired by a few other clocks, including a version of the infamous Vetinari “random tick” clock which will drive you crazy in a different way.
Looking for the video below… only see buck-boost converter ads.
Really pretty number cutouts, though.
You can see the video by following the top link in the article. The numerals were drawn in LibreOffice , converted to DXF files and then laser cut in card.
Wonderful madness and a great teaching tool for people who are interested in automation (eg. automated assembly etc.).
Wow, that is a really nice job but it would drive me crazy!
@Kristian:
Here’s the video…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTHuGbSgcuI
Fun!
I once changed the dial of a clock by giving it only 10 hours. You can tell the time by just glancing at it. But when you take a closer look you get confused :)
But this clock is really confusing.
a decimal time clock would be a revolutionary idea – http://io9.com/5886129/the-short-strange-history-of-decimal-time
Apparently it is not.. :) Didn’t know that. Thanks for the info.
Well, the hands still go round the clockface, so it would be literally revolutionary ;)
What happened to timepieces succinctly informing you of the time? I keep seeing dots and bars and arcs and this… one shouldn’t have to consult a chart.
You shouldn’t need a chart to read the time, the little hand points to the hours and the big hands points to the minutes. It’s effectively the same as any other clock just that the numbers are in an unconventional place.