Commissioned by Robert and Esther Mathys and presented to the AO Foundation on the occasion of their 50 year jubilee celebration.

The clockworks to drive "One Revolution Per Day" are built by Smith of Derby, U.K.

Stainless steel longitude indicators hang from the
globe's equator. These points in conjunction with the time zone
calibration ring offer the correct time anywhere on earth.

An initial concept drawing arrives after exploring
several possible formats that range dramatically
in scale and location.

Once a concept is chosen, a maquette is built to test materials
and fabrication options.

All crystal is hand blown. A perfect hemisphere is carved into
a solid block of wood to "true" the blown glass while it is still molten.

The globe of "One Revolution Per Day" is 18 inches in diameter,
the largest sphere Tyrone crystal ever produced.

With great care Owen McKee, the master blower, blows two
hemispheres for making the globe.

Once blown the crystal bubbles need to be parted accurately
so the two have come together to form a complete sphere.

The next job is to create the textured pattern that is carved
into the glass to indicate continents and their topography.

Influenced by the line work of Durer's etchings, a drawing
for each continent is created and carved onto the globe.

A unique crystal globe with stainless steel equator ring.

All components are collected at the Smith of Derby
factory for assembly.

The quality of workmanship offered by the engineers
and craftsmen at Smith of Derby is excellent.
This is a world-class operation.

View 'one revolution per day' PDF issued by the ao foundation.

View Dialogue with Paul Gregg PDF