Types of Clocks and Their Invention

Have you noticed the pattern of the days and seasons? Have you ever wondered who came up with the idea of time? When was the clock invented? Who invented the clock and in which year? Since ancient times different instruments have been used to measure time. Have you ever seen the ‘ Ghanta Ghar chowk’ of any old city like Delhi, Jaipur, or Hyderabad? You must have noticed that the common thing in these places is big clocks that were used in the colonial period for measuring time. Now, you can measure time on your smartphones, and smartwatch.

Clock

What is a Clock?

A clock normally displayed in a room or connected to a wall displays the time. You can see clocks of different sizes around you.

Let's see the interesting journey of the instruments that are used in measuring time. 

In this article, who invented clocks, who discovered clocks is discussed.

Different Types of Time Measuring Instruments

Let’s go to the ancient time and see the different kinds of instruments used for measuring time:

Obelisks

Obelisks

See the picture; this long square-shaped tower with an end like a pyramid is Obelisk. These were first used in Egypt in 3500 BCE. With respect to the position of the sun, the shadow gives time. 

Sundials

Sundial

Sundials were made up of a dial, and a stick positioned at a specific angle. The stick on the clock that denoted the time of day at any given moment cast a shadow in the sunshine. Sundials and Obelisks work only in the presence of sunlight.

Water Clock

Water Clock

The Greeks used water-based technology to create a clock that was completely powered by water around 250 BCE. The advantage of the water clock was that it could show time 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Graduate Candle Clock

Graduate Candle Clock

Placing a big nail into a candle clock at the correct intervals might be transformed into a timer. As a result, when the candle burned down to that point, the nail clattered down onto a metal plate at the candle's base, signifying the end of the time interval.

You can make these candles on your own at home, do try to make one.

Hourglass

Hourglass

An hourglass was an early instrument for measuring time intervals. These are also known as sandglass or log glass. It comprises two pear-shaped glass bulbs that are joined at their apexes and have a little passage between them. The bulbs contain a quantity of sand (or, on rare occasions, mercury).

These were the clocks used in ancient times. Let’s see the clocks that were used in Mediaeval times.

Western historians refer to the period as "mediaeval times," but they also refer to it as "the Dark Ages." Because of their circumstances, their perception prevailed across Europe at the time. However, the equivalent Muslim areas prospered during that period.

In their time-keeping devices, they used flowing water. In this context, some well-known names who invented clocks include:

1. The Castle Clock of Al-Jazairi (12th century)

The Castle Clock of Al-Jazairi

2. Ridhwan al-Sa'ati is noted for building a clock for Damascus' mosque.

Clock on Damascus' Mosque

3. Al-Kaysarani created the first clock of its sort, known as the striking clock, in about 1154.

Striking Clock

Now, let's learn about modern instruments.

Mechanical Clocks

Mechanical Clock

Levi Hutchins, an American inventor, was the first to build a mechanical clock in 1787. In 1878, a region's Standard Time was established. Later, mechanical devices incorporating spiral (round) springs were used to create wristwatches and timepieces on tables and sideboards.

Pendulum Clock

Pendulum Clock

A pendulum clock keeps time using a swinging weight called a pendulum. To work, pendulum clocks needed to be level and motionless. Any motion or acceleration will impact the pendulum's motion, causing it to lose or gain speed and beat.

Wrist Watches

Wristwatch

The concept evolved from public clock towers to individual and personal time-keeping devices over time. Wristwatches used to be powered by circular springs that had to be wound once every 24 hours.

Digital Clocks or Watches

Digital Clock

Digital clocks are one of our society's most common pieces of technology. The electronic wristwatch has experienced major evolutionary changes and dozens of offshoots that include everything you could imagine cramming into a wristwatch.

Atomic Clocks

An atomic clock is a sophisticated time measuring instrument that can measure time at a very high degree of accuracy and precision. The typical accuracy of the atomic clock is an error of 1 second every 100 million years.

Summary

You have seen the wonderful journey of the clocks. So, one can divide the clocks based on when they were discovered:

1. Ancient Period instruments: 

• Obelisks

• Sundials

• Water clock

• Graduate Candle clock

• Hourglass

2. Mediaeval Period:

• The Castle Clock of Al-Jazairi (12th century)

• Ridhwan al-Sa'ati is noted for building a clock for Damascus' mosque.

• Al-Kaysarani created the first clock of its sort, known as the striking clock, in about 1154.

3. Modern Period:

• Mechanical clocks

• Pendulum clocks

• Atomic clocks

• Wristwatches

• Digital watches/ clocks