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5000 BCE
Sundial
The sundial is the oldest known device for the measurement of time and the most ancient of scientific instruments. It is based on the fact that the shadow of an object will move from one side of the object to the other as the sun “moves” from east to west during the day. Link Text -
1500 BCE
Water Clock
There were two forms of water clocks: outflow and inflow. In an outflow clock, the inside of a container was marked with measurement lines. The container was filled with water, which was allowed to leak out at an even pace. Observers were able to tell time by measuring the change in the water level. Unlike the latter, the former’s measurements were in a second container instead. Based on the amount of water that dripped from the first container, one was able to tell how much time had passed. -
1 BCE
The Cuckoo Clock
The cuckoo clock, invented by Mr Franz Kettler in Germany in 1630, was the first mechanical clock that could display time and create a sound at a certain time. They are not quite sure when it was invented, but Mr. Kettler is the oldest reference -
520
The Candle Clock
[Buzzle] (www.buzzle.com/articles/candle-clock-history-facts-and-limitations.html)
A candle clock works by having either a wax candle or a stick of incense starting at a certain height and melts to a lower height. This tells how long it has been since it has been lit by measuring its height. These there are examples of how people used a frame, like in the picture, to measure the height of the candle, or they would have the height written in the wax. -
Jan 1, 1094
A Tower Clock in China
The power comes from a water wheel occupying the lower part of a tower. Su Song, the Buddhist inventor, had designed a device which stopped the water wheel except for a brief spell (once every quarter of an hour) when the weight of the water is sufficient to trip a mechanism. The wheel, lurching forward, drives the machinery of the tower to the next stationary point in a continuing cycle. -
Jan 2, 1274
Invention of the Foliot
The process allows a toothed wheel to turn, one tooth at a time, by sequential teeth catching against knobs projecting from an upright rod which oscillates back and forth. The speed of its oscillation is regulated by a horizontal bar (known as a Foliot) attached to the top of the rod. The time taken in the Foliot's swing can be regulated by moving weights in or out on each arm. -
Mar 3, 1285
The Weight Clock
Infoplease
Invented in Europe, the weight clock was the first mechanical clock ever created. It involved having weights to use the force of gravity to help turn gears in the clock. They only had an hour hand that was used, and it would strike bells to help tell the time. These first mechanical clocks were not very accurate, but they were still thought to be accurate at the time of their invention. -
Dec 20, 1338
Hourglass
Developement
Invented in France in 1338, the hourglass involves an amount of fine sand pouring through a small hole constantly in a certain amount of time. The sand was contained in a glass jar like object in the shape of an eight. It is easy to transport due to its size and how it contains the fine sand, unlike previous candles with dripping wax, spilling water, and heavy sun dials made of stone. -
Apr 12, 1510
Spring-Driven Clock
The spring-driven clock, built in 1510, was the first successful mechanical clock. It was originally constructed by Peter Henlein, a German engineer. There were earlier versions of a mechanical clock; however, none were as successful as Henlein's. This also the first portable clock, and it later turned into the first watch by having a piece of string tied around the wrist. -
The Quarts Clock
The quartz clock is still the most commonly used clock of the public. It is still used in watches, timers, computers, and almost every device of the modern age.
