Academy Pendulum Sales

Specializing in Foucault Pendulum Displays
combining science and art
in a captivating display of beauty and motion

Academy Pendulums (formerly California Academy of Science Pendulums) are designed as permanent display installations.  The CAS began selling pendulums in the early 1950's, and many may still be found operating in museums, planetarium foyers or universities.

The pendulum is a favorite of both artists or architects who want to make a bold statement showing beauty, motion, and science.

A beautiful blend of brass sculpture and motion make this exhibit a great attraction for all ages. Visitors are still awed as they were in 1851 when Jean Foucault first demonstrated the concept of a ball swinging constantly in the same direction, while the Earth rotates beneath it.

This demonstration is usually enhanced by the ball knocking down pegs, or turning on objects. Designers have free reign to use their imagination and create new ways to demonstrate this effect. Modern technologies combined with the ball's motion to trigger sensors in the floor opens up new territories for the imagination to create new methods of showing off this exhibit.

Our website provides Design Specifications, a complimentary Bid Proposal for Architects, and a link to the California Academy of Sciences study unit for teachers, "About Foucault Pendulums".

Contact us by email or phone for more information about Academy Pendulum Kits.

Photo courtesy of Hunt Oil, Dallas, Texas (ball designed especially for Hunt Oil.)
To view a typical Academy Pendulum Sales brass ball, click here.

Academy pendulum kits include:

  • A 235-pound 15” polished brass ball with sculptured end caps.
  • A 1/8” cable to suspend the ball.
  • One magnetic drive system is used to keep the ball swinging continuously. (The magnet is located near the suspension point at the top of the cable.)
  • One support tower and pivot assembly
  • One electronics control package
  • One 10”w x 14”h, educational brass wall plaque mounted on a walnut base. It includes a credit to Jean Foucault for his contribution to science, and a brief explanation of the pendulum.
  • Kit comes packed in wooden crates and weighs approximately 640 lbs. total.