Was the cuckoo clock invented in Switzerland or Germany? If in Germany, why is it associated with Switzerland?

Answer 1

The cuckoo clock was invented in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) town of Schönwald im Schwarzwald, Germany, by Franz Ketterer in 1738. Ketterer designed the system of small bellows and whistles that imitates the Cuckoo's call, and added them to a standard Dutch clock. Later refinements of the design changed the clock's shape to the familiar birdhouse or chalet. The center of their production continues to be in the Black Forest region of Germany, in the area of Triberg im Schwarzwald and Neustadt. Regional folklore recalls that the local farmers would carve cuckoo clock in the long winters to pass the time. Each spring, the farmers would emerge with their completed cuckoo clocks and show them off in the town square. Competition quickly ensued and each farmer would try to out do their neighbor by carving a more elaborate cuckoo clock the next winter. This could account for the fancy and time consuming designs that are part and parcel with the cuckoo clock.

The cuckoo clock is often wrongly viewed a Swiss creation. This is not to say Switzerland has no part in cuckoo clock history. Many of movement inside cuckoo clocks are Swiss produced and of the highest quality. However, the cuckoo clock is and always has been a German creation.

Answer 2

The centre of production continues to be the Black Forest region of Germany, in the area of Triberg im Schwarzwald and Neustadt, where there are about a hundred firms making the whole clock or parts of it. The cuckoo clock is often wrongly associated with Switzerland, as in the movie The Third Man. In the USA, this error is probably due to a story by Mark Twain in which the hero depicts the Swiss town of Lucerne as the home of cuckoo clocks.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Was the cuckoo clock invented in Switzerland or Germany? If in Germany, why is it associated with Switzerland?

Answer 4

Who Invented The Cuckoo Clock

Answer 5

I've been to all 3 countries, and all have exceptional places and countryside scenes. The Ludwig castles in Germany are not to be missed. Nor the Covered Bridge in Lucerne, Switzerland. Vienna, Austria is a wonderful city, but you must check out the Saltzkammergut area and all the seas there in Gmunden, and go to the top of Dachstein - you're on top of the world there! Enjoy!

Answer 6

The cuckoo clock definitely was invented in Germany in ca. 1738.

That was in the Black Forest town of Schoenwald, Germany, by Franz Ketterer. The Black Forest or "Schwarzwald" is in South Western Germany (state of Baden Wuerttemberg) and consulting a map you can see how that idea must have crossed borders.

Answer 7

It's a Bavarian creation.
I think the reason why Switzerland is known for it too is geographical. Bavaria borders Switzerland so it's no surprise they picked up on it and of course Switzerland enjoys a good reputation for watch and clock making

Answer 8

Cuckoo clocks are from the German Black Forest which is just over the border from Switzerland (not Bavaria, which is 5 hours away). Like the Japanese, the Swiss make them better; unlike the Japanese they make them dearer - not cheaper.

Answer 9

It's German, but the Swiss have kitschy clocks as well, usually little chalets with a Heidi and Peter that come out on the hour to frolic. I don't think there are cuckoo birds here though.

Answer 10

Actually i tend to associate the cuckoo clock with Bavaria, which is a German region i think. Not sure where it was Invented though.