Time measurement evolved from observing nature to today’s ultra‑precise atomic clocks. Here is the journey.
Ancient Timekeeping Methods
Early civilizations used natural indicators:
- Sundials — shadows indicate time of day
- Water clocks — regulated liquid flow
- Hourglasses — sand flow intervals
- Candle clocks — burn rate markers
The Mechanical Revolution
Mechanical clocks transformed timekeeping:
- Weights and gears in early mechanisms
- Pendulum (17th c.) improved accuracy
- Pocket watches popular by 16th c.
Modern Timekeeping
Atomic clocks underpin modern standards:
- Atomic vibrations (cesium/rubidium)
- International Atomic Time (TAI)
- Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
Did You Know?
Best atomic clocks lose <1 second in 100 million years—critical for GPS, telecom, and research.