Cuckoo, Cuckoo, the Call from the Woods - Automatic Clocks from the Black Forest

The wooden Black Forest clocks appealed to a broad segment of the population. Timepieces with automated figures, such as the cuckoo, or clocks with a musical train were particularly attractive.

As with the movements, the Black Forest clockmakers simplified standard designs such that they could provide them at an unrivalled low price.

The cuckoo clock was astoundingly simple. Instead of a bell, two whistles sounded the hours. In addition, Black Forest artisans invented many other clocks with automata, i.e. sentinels on patrol, monks ringing bells, even butchers slaughtering a calf on the hour.

Musical clocks with chimes or flute organs would play a short musical composition every hour.