I am trying to obtain some historical information on the Schmoyer Sunquest
sundial; specifically when it was first made and marketed. Waugh's book (1973)
discusses the dial, but gives no dates. Apparantly Frank Cousin's book (1968)
mentions it, but I do not have a copy. I was hoping someone on the list might
be able to tell me what it says. I have a drawing that was sent out with the
recastings sold at the NASS convention in 1999 dated 1958, but that does not
tell me when the dials became available publicly. Can any one contribute to
this?
Cousin's book has a picture of the Sunquest and a (greatly reduced)
copy of a working drawing by Schmoyer (from a patent?) which is
dated 11-15-58. Cousins is describing dials with a built-in EOT
correction such as Oliver's 1892 dial. He continues "This fruitful idea
reaches it culmination in the elegant design of Mr Richard L.
Schmoyer...in which the style has a slot cut for both the summer and
winter curve of the true anelemma...etc. etc." p. 189
The Scientic American article was included in the Amateur Scientist
section of the October, 1959 issue. The article quotes a letter from
Schmoyer in which, after describing why folks like us bother with
accurate sundials, Schmoyer says "These inducements led me to design a
sundial last year which has become a continuing source of pleasure both
to me and to my neighbours..."(pp. 193-4). At the end of the article
the editor notes "Schmoyer advises that the patterns used in making the
parts for his dial, including the gnomon, have been preserved. He has
volunteered to have duplicate casting made by the local foundry upon
request by those who wish to purchase a ready-made set. His address is
Landisville, Pa." (p. 198)
As the owner of a (nearly finished!) version of the recent castings
made by his daughter Laurel Brown (if memory serves me), I must endorse
Schmoyer's comment about the dial being a continuing source of pleasure.
Peter Mayer
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