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A Brief History of Timepieces
By Alfie J. Watkinson
In many ways, the history of timepieces parallels the history of human progress. In earlier times, people used very crude ways to keep time. Archeologists have found countless examples of primitive timekeeping efforts, all throughout the world. Many scientists believe that the great pillars at Stonehenge in England were used to mark the solstices and other seasonal events.
As civilizations advanced, a need for more detailed timekeeping arose. Early calendars, by the Egyptians and Mayans for example, measured months and years. These calendars made it possible for early merchants to establish trade routes, for governments to keep records, and for cultures to establish shared religious holidays.
The first style of clock to be invented was the shadow clock. These clocks were very simple devices that measured time based upon the length of the shadow it cast. The sundial was invented sometime around 1500BC. It was a significant advance over the shadow clock as it allowed for certain portability. Sundials were used to tell time for over 3000 years. Another clock, called the water clock, kept time by measuring drips of water through a hole. None of these clocks were very accurate.
The first pendulum clock was invented in 1656, by a Dutchman named Christian Huygens. Pendulum clocks work so well because the swing of the pendulum is stable and can be used to regulate a clocks time. Through various refinements, these clocks kept time to within 10 seconds a day. This was a phenomenal achievement for the time. By the late 1800's, this was improved to within one one-hundredth of a second.
Quartz technology was developed in the mid-1930's. Quartz clocks have no mechanical parts, and are therefore more accurate than pendulum clocks. Pendulum clocks can slow over time due to the friction created by their moving parts. Quartz clocks also have limitations, because the size and shape of every quartz crystal is different.
The atomic clock was developed shortly thereafter, and is known for being incredibly accurate. In 1967, The 13th General Conference on Weights and Measures defined the second on the basis of vibrations of the cesium atom. For the first time in history, the world no longer had a timekeeping system based on astronomical observance and measurement.
About the Author
Alfie J. Watkinson has actually read a few books and attended a few lectures. When he is not womanizing and drinking, he can be found drinking and womanizing. He has a stellar timepiece collection, and he likes to boast that they were all gifts except for one. When he is sober and by himself, he might write the odd article for http://www.luxurywatches101.com – a website dedicated to the finest timepieces in the world, with information about Casio watches, designer watches, Gucci watches and more.
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