An accelerometer comprising: a base including a mounting surface; an accelerometer mechanism including: substantially rigid first and second electrode structures (110, 112), the electrode structures each defining a plurality of curved slots (154, 156) and including pickoff electrode surfaces (114, 116) formed on respective curved slots of the plurality of curved slots and oriented substantially perpendicular to the planar mounting surface of the base, the pickoff electrode surfaces being spaced apart along an input direction (y) that is parallel with the mounting surface of the base; and a proof mass suspended between the first and second electrode structures, the proof mass comprising: first and second cantilevered beams (120, 122) that extend along an x-axis dimension, the first and second cantilevered beams being configured to move along the input direction, wherein the first cantilevered beam defines a first plurality of curved comb teeth configured to cooperate with one of the pickoff electrode surfaces to form a first capacitor, and the second cantilevered beam defines a second plurality of curved comb teeth configured to cooperate with the other of the pickoff electrode surfaces to form a second capacitor; and a central pendulum mount between the cantilevered beams, the cantilevered beams extending on either side of the pendulum mount; first and second anchors that secure the first and second outside electrode structures, respectively, to the mounting surface of the base; and an anchor that secures the pendulum mount to the base. a base including a mounting surface; an accelerometer mechanism including: substantially rigid first and second electrode structures (110, 112), the electrode structures each defining a plurality of curved slots (154, 156) and including pickoff electrode surfaces (114, 116) formed on respective curved slots of the plurality of curved slots and oriented substantially perpendicular to the planar mounting surface of the base, the pickoff electrode surfaces being spaced apart along an input direction (y) that is parallel with the mounting surface of the base; and a proof mass suspended between the first and second electrode structures, the proof mass comprising: first and second cantilevered beams (120, 122) that extend along an x-axis dimension, the first and second cantilevered beams being configured to move along the input direction, wherein the first cantilevered beam defines a first plurality of curved comb teeth configured to cooperate with one of the pickoff electrode surfaces to form a first capacitor, and the second cantilevered beam defines a second plurality of curved comb teeth configured to cooperate with the other of the pickoff electrode surfaces to form a second capacitor; and a central pendulum mount between the cantilevered beams, the cantilevered beams extending on either side of the pendulum mount; first and second anchors that secure the first and second outside electrode structures, respectively, to the mounting surface of the base; and an anchor that secures the pendulum mount to the base. substantially rigid first and second electrode structures (110, 112), the electrode structures each defining a plurality of curved slots (154, 156) and including pickoff electrode surfaces (114, 116) formed on respective curved slots of the plurality of curved slots and oriented substantially perpendicular to the planar mounting surface of the base, the pickoff electrode surfaces being spaced apart along an input direction (y) that is parallel with the mounting surface of the base; and a proof mass suspended between the first and second electrode structures, the proof mass comprising: first and second cantilevered beams (120, 122) that extend along an x-axis dimension, the first and second cantilevered beams being configured to move along the input direction, wherein the first cantilevered beam defines a first plurality of curved comb teeth configured to cooperate with one of the pickoff electrode surfaces to form a first capacitor, and the second cantilevered beam defines a second plurality of curved comb teeth configured to cooperate with the other of the pickoff electrode surfaces to form a second capacitor; and a central pendulum mount between the cantilevered beams, the cantilevered beams extending on either side of the pendulum mount; first and second cantilevered beams (120, 122) that extend along an x-axis dimension, the first and second cantilevered beams being configured to move along the input direction, wherein the first cantilevered beam defines a first plurality of curved comb teeth configured to cooperate with one of the pickoff electrode surfaces to form a first capacitor, and the second cantilevered beam defines a second plurality of curved comb teeth configured to cooperate with the other of the pickoff electrode surfaces to form a second capacitor; and a central pendulum mount between the cantilevered beams, the cantilevered beams extending on either side of the pendulum mount; first and second anchors that secure the first and second outside electrode structures, respectively, to the mounting surface of the base; and an anchor that secures the pendulum mount to the base.