A Brief History of How People Told Time

By kerri_cunningham
  • 1500 BCE

    Waterclocks

    Flow of water used to measure time
  • 1300 BCE

    Sundials

    Use of sun and shadows to measure time
  • 500

    Candle and Incense Clocks

    Time measured according to how far down the candle or incense has melted or burned
  • Jan 1, 1300

    Mechanical Clocks

    Weights and springs used.
  • Jan 1, 1400

    Smaller clocks and watches

    Coiled springs give way to ability to create smaller clocks and watches.

  • Pendulum Clock

    Weights and a swinging pendulum created that made for more accurate time telling.

  • Pocket Watch

    An accurate, and smaller, watch created so that it could be used at sea.

  • Mass Production

    Machines were invented that led to mass production of clock parts, which led to cheaper prices, which led to opportunity for more people to own and wear watches.

  • Prime Meridian comes into play

    Prime Meridian is the basis for time worldwide.

  • Quartz Crystal Oscillator

    Even more inventions...even more accurate timekeeping.

  • Atomic Clocks

    ...and now comes digital...

  • Swatch!!

    An expression of joy, a statement, a warm smile, a necessary fashion statement...who doesn't love a Swatch?