Newton’s Cradle Is A Lie

“Newton’s cradle” simplified the concept of conservation of energy, momentum, and friction into an entertaining novelty desk item. Today we illuminate the real history behind the cradle and showcase 2015’s version of these timeless five clicking balls.

Why is it called Newton’s cradle?

Because Newton created it right? Wrong!

The cradle was not invented by Isaac Newton, the science behind it is dated before Newton’s days as a researcher. Christiaan Huygen published papers in 1662 outlining the fundamental concepts of kinetic energy and motion. 25 years after Huygen; Newton published his own law of motion (F=ma) that was more widely accepted then Huygens’s original. Newton received the credit as he contributed many key concepts to the world of physics and is more widely known than Huygen.

The name “Newton’s Cradle” was created in 1967 by Simon Prebble an English actor, as a tribute to physicist Isaac Newton, this kicked off the widespread popularity of the cradle and gave rise to the desktop version we are all familiar with today. It is also known as Newton’s rocker or simply a ball clicker.

Sometimes, history only remembers the big names, Newton’s fame was key to him being regarded as the creator of these basic laws of physics, even though 25 years earlier Christiaan Huygen had already developed the science.

2015’s LED Cradle

This year we have a new style cradle that clicks glass balls instead of steel.

How does the new Newton’s cradle work?

The concept is the same as the original steel ball version but the light effects are running on their own system. Instead of steel, they are brushed glass balls and inside each is a 2 color LED that is powered from batteries in the base. There are motion sensors in the base that detect the movement of the balls and the LED’s can be set to change color as they move. Construction is easy, it comes in 3 pieces and you just connect the sidewalls to the base.

Hopefully, this has opened your eyes to the truth behind Huygen’s cradle and seen how popularity and exposure can be more powerful than the actual idea, happy clicking.