The lantern clock was invented in Germany in the 15th century. While there's no single inventor credited, it's believed to have emerged as a development from the earlier "verge and foliot" clock.

Here's what we know:

* Early 15th century: Lantern clocks first appeared in Nuremberg, Germany.

* Features: They were characterized by their vertical design with a lantern-like case (hence the name) that housed the clockwork mechanism.

* Evolution: The lantern clock was a significant improvement over the earlier verge and foliot clocks. It featured a pendulum for more accurate timekeeping.

The exact inventor remains unknown, but the lantern clock played a vital role in the evolution of timekeeping technology and became a popular timepiece throughout Europe.