Pigeon Racing Clocks, Mechanical Marvels from the 1800s. An ITM Clock video

Pigeon Racing was a huge sport in Europe and the USA, from the mid-1800s until the mid-1900s. Specially bred 'Homer' pigeons could race for thousands of miles, finding their way home (homing) to the loft in which they hatched. Reaching speeds of over 90 mph, big prize money was at stake driving the need for advancements in clocks which tracked their flight times.
In this ITM video, the history of Pigeon Racing and the technology of the clocks used will be presented.
This link is the same video, but without narration, so you can enjoy the music, 'The Pigeon Strut' by Podington Bear, and the imagery:
• Pigeon Racing Clocks, ...

[@joedaskalakis7211]

Just got back from the American pigeon museum and had to learn more about these timers!

[@rmefbowhunter]

Wonderful and helpful video. I raised and raced pigeons in West Texas in the 60s as a teenager. This brought back wonderful memories. Our timers then had two ‘railroad’ watch movements inside a sealed metal enclosure. I recently acquired a Henry Martens Bruxelles 2nd generation racing pigeon 7:54 timer in working condition. Any idea where one could obtain operating instructions?

[@bijankumar2922]

Great time machine of easter years !

[@jonurwin1]

Great video, thank you! Very well explained!

[@Joedy860]

That is incredible - I hade no idea.
Love your channel and I really look forward to your videos.

[@davedietrich6601]

I'm glad you found it interesting! Also, delighted you like the videos......great history, right?

[@davedietrich6601]

Maybe you'll like the 'music only' version, no narration. I prefer it.
czcams.com/video/jBFKBkC7svA/video.html

[@TheBenzer9]

Great video it's a shame these old clocks are being discarded and not being reused with the advent of the electronic timing clocks, you often see them for sale in antiques fairs and shops..in fact some people don't even know what they are.. thankfully I still race pigeons and have my Toulet 12 bird clock, unfortunately they can't be used anymore..great video all the same

[@davedietrich6601]

Thanks for watching, and for keeping the sport and old technology alive!

[@sircampbell1249]

Pigeon Racing that a first for me..

[@shedactivist]

Excellent. I need one of these in my collection

[@musicurio]

I may be able to offer you one I think I have one left £150 plus postage. Let me know (ps it is a first generation one, I believe)

[@elenjabian6876]

I have 1,

[@philipashley1517]

Great to see this I have a old clock,, but can I ask how do you open it??? I have tried everything..

[@slatour0694]

I inherited one of these from my Pépère who used to race and had many trophies. Thanks for the informative video!

[@tommitoraj4327]

What does the key to open the box look like? Thanks

[@Just_Flipy]

just back i think a second generation, second one, the one you try out just now for 20 bucks. don't know what to do with it, its missing the pin to turn and the tool that should be used to turn it

[@zdnekpicha7956]

OK👍

[@Pauuanthakali]

searching squab recipes, suggested pigeon racing results.. wondered how timing tracked? honor system? but, gamblers trust is a gamble.. machine ingenuity of 1800's era is a marvel! thanks on this.. rather race, than taste.. ha!

[@Otis_symbol]

I found one of these today. There was a note inside that said pigeon racing timer. If it didn't say that I would've had zero clue what this is. Score for me 🐦

[@k.kristianjonsson4814]

Interesting, but destroyed by the idiotic background music that makes it harder to hear the voice.