His opportunities for acquiring knowledge were still very few, but he applied his powers of observation and his workmanship upon the things which were nearest him.
He worked in wood, and to wood he first turned his attention.
He was still fond of machines going upon wheels.

He had enjoyed the sight of the big watch going upon brass wheels when he was a boy; but, now that he was a workman in wood, he proposed to make an eight-day clock, with wheels of this material.

He made the clock in 1713, when he was twenty years old,[4] so that he must have made diligent use of his opportunities.

He had of course difficulties to encounter, and nothing can be accomplished without them; for it is difficulties that train the habits of application and perseverance.

But he succeeded in making an effective clock, which counted the time with regularity.
This clock is still in existence.