The Elephant Clock was a medieval invention by Master Engineer Al-Jazari (11361206), consisting of a weight powered water clock in the form of an elephant.

The various elements of the clock are in the housing on top of the elephant. They were designed to move and make a sound each half hour.

A modern full-size working reproduction, produced by the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) can be found in the Ibn Battuta Mall, in Dubai (UAE).

Another working reproduction can be seen outside the Musée d’Horlogerie du Locle, Château des Monts, in Le Locle, Switzerland.

In addition to its mechanical innovations, the clock itself is seen as an early example of multiculturalism represented in technology. The elephant represents the Indian and African cultures, the dragon represents Chinese culture, the phoenix represents ancient Egyptian culture, the water work represents ancient Greek culture, and the turban represents Muslim cultures.

Part 1

Part 2

1001 Inventions was created by the academic Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) with support from the British Government.

The 1001 Inventions touring exhibition will embark upon a global tour, starting at the London Science Museum in January 2010 and visiting 30 major international cities over a four-year period. A large 5m high reproduction of the elephant clock will form the centrepiece of the exhibition.