Karl Julius Späth
Karl Julius Späth (born April 12, 1838 in stone walls ; † April 2, 1919 there ) was a poet , clockmaker and inventor , he became known for the construction of his astronomical clock .
Karl Julius Späth learned the craft of the weaver at an early age , self-taught he taught himself the craft of the watchmaker and earned extra income on the side. When the hemp cultivation declined, the weaving became more and more unprofitable, finally Karl Julius Späth gave up the craft of the weaver and dealt exclusively with the watchmaking. His wife had him forcibly taken to the Illenau nursing home . The background was financial interests. She later withdrew the allegations that led to the admission.
In 1868 he completed his first astronomical clock before he ventured into his great life's work 10 years later. Until 1884 he sat over the construction drawings and plans until the clock was finished and he could publish his plans. Kaiser Wilhelm I was so enthusiastic about the construction plans that he gave him 300 marks "with the highest appreciation" for the execution of his plans. Karl Julius used the money to buy tools and materials and set about implementing his designs. Karl Julius built the clock for nineteen years until it was finally finished on May 21, 1898. Due to the uniqueness of the clock, it has often been compared with the astronomical clock in the Strasbourg cathedral . If you believe the inventor's notes, 45,000 visitors came to marvel at the watch.
The local writer Heinrich Hansjakob once wrote about him: "The only, true and genuine genius by God's grace that I have got to know in my life."
Karl Julius Späth himself wrote about his work in the construction plans:
“All parts of my work are built for the greatest ornament. What the master's hand could do, sacrifice diligence and love to me! "
The astronomical clock, which is over 2 meters high, can be viewed today in the Rastatt Heimatmuseum.
literature
- Gottfried Zurbrügg: A watch for eternity: Karl Julius Späth, watchmaker and genius , Verlag Katz 2006, ISBN 978-3-938047-12-5 .
Individual evidence
- ^ The Illenau Nursing Centers: Famous Patients ( Memento from July 7, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Late, Karl Julius |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German inventor and designer, watchmaker |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 12, 1838 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Stone walls |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 2, 1919 |
| Place of death | Stone walls |