Vintage Images Of Old Timekeeping Clocks

Ancient Time Devices

The first effective timekeeping technology was invented by the ancient Egyptians, and they were called obelisks, sundials, and water clocks; in particular, Obelisks began to be created in ancient Egypt between about 3100 and 2600 BC. According to many sources sundials and water clocks were invented in ancient Egypt in roughly 1500 BC. The ancient Babylonians and ancient Chinese also created sundials and water clocks, followed later in history by the ancient Greeks and ancient Romans, who were said to have created more advanced versions of water clocks and sundials, but, according to most historians, the obelisk has been acknowledged as the oldest invention of a credible timekeeping device.

The Obelisk

The obelisk was constructed geographically from the ground in a vertical position, and it is a tall, narrow, four-sided, square-based object that is carved out of granite and tapers at the top into the shape of an isosceles pyramid. The purpose of the obelisk was to cast elongated shadows at various locations along the ground as the sun rises and descends on the horizon during daylight hours, thereby indicating the passage of time daily. Originally, obelisks were primarily utilized for religious reasons such as daily prayers, funerals, cremations, and births. There are several famous ancient obelisks, which still exist in famous cities around the globe today, such as Cleopatra's Needles (twin obelisks), originally built in the Old Kingdom of Egypt in roughly 1450 BC, within the 18th dynasty of Egypt. The twin obelisks were created out of red granite and inscribed in Egyptian hieroglyphics; each twin is roughly 21 metres high and weighs about 200 tons, respectively. The twin pair of Cleopatra's Needles was separated well over one hundred years ago. One of the two obelisks was moved from Egypt to the Victoria Embankment in London, England, in 1878, where it is currently situated, and the other twin was relocated to Central Park in New York City, United States, in 1880. Interestingly, there exists another twin pair of ancient obelisks, which are famously known as the Luxor Obelisk, built in Egypt roughly 3,300 years ago. The obelisks of Luxor were created out of red granite and decorated with Egyptian hieroglyphics, while each twin has a weight of 227 tonnes and a height of 22.83 metres. When they were separated many generations ago, one of the pair was provided to France in 1836, and it currently resides in the Place de la Concorde, in Paris. Meanwhile, its twin remains in its original location, situated close to the Luxor Temple, in Luxor, Egypt.

French Inventor Pope Sylvester II (946 - 1003)

A timekeeping clock as generally known, specifically, with dials that indicate the time of day, is thought to have originated in medieval Europe. The first mechanical clocks were invented by Christian monks in Europe between the late 13th century and the 14th century. In medieval Europe, it was very important for nuns and monks living in monasteries, as well as popes and bishops in cathedrals, to regulate their daily prayers and work schedules. It is uncertain who first invented the mechanical clock, but most sources state that the first mechanical clock was most probably invented by Pope Sylvester II (born 945 - died 1003) in 996 AD. Pope Sylvester II (originally Gerbert de Aurillac) was the first Frenchman to become a pope. He was head of the Roman Catholic Church (999 - 1003) and is remembered for his scholarly achievements and advances in education. Although Pop Sylvester's original invention was not considered a mechanical clock in the true sense, nevertheless, his innovation became the foundation for future concepts of the mechanical clock. The clocks built during the medieval era were known to be extremely large, cumbersome, inaccurate, and notoriously problematic to function correctly. Nonetheless, this age was considered a revolutionary era in the history of timekeeping devices.

The Verge Escapement (13th Century)

During the late 13th century, an important technological development was achieved in Europe with the invention of a component called the verge escapement, also known as the crown-wheel escapement. Originally, this mechanism was part of and controlled by a foliot, which is a horizontal bar with weights at either end, in conjunction with an oscillating gear and a balance wheel that turned a shaft in small equal quantities at a regulated rate. It is not known who originally invented this mechanism, but following its introduction, beginning from the late 13th century and into the 14th century, increasingly, many clock towers in town centres and monasteries across Europe were constructed with the inclusion of the verge escapement. Tower bell clocks and other public clocks played an important timekeeping role in the daily lives of common people during the medieval era. In particular, it was a means for local communities to regulate their work and church attendance schedules, as well as other important events such as weddings, funerals, and other special occasions.

German Inventor Peter Henlein (1485 - 1542)

Peter Henlein (1485 - 1542) was a famous German locksmith and clockmaker who was born in Nuremberg, Germany. Henlein was known for inventing the Spring-powered clock between 1500 and 1510. In the history of timekeeping devices, Peter Henlein's innovation was said to be a technological breakthrough. The clock-watches that Henlein created were miniature-sized, very light, and exceptionally well crafted, but they were very expensive items to purchase. As a result, Henlein's watches became very popular amongst aristocrats and wealthy individuals. The spring-powered brass clocks or clock-watches replaced its predecessor, namely, the weight-driven, cumbersome clocks, which were constructed with verge escapement mechanisms. Over many centuries, numerous gifted clock inventors have contributed significantly to the evolution of timekeeping clocks. However, Peter Henlein is perceived by many as the father of modern clocks, and importantly, his invention was considered the foundation and inspiration for the world's first wrist watches.

Italian Inventor Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642)

Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642) was an Italian scientist who became famous for being the first person to conceive of an isochronous pendulum clock. Galileo began a detailed study of the principles that governed the motions of a pendulum swing in 1602. But it was not until many years later, in 1637, towards the end of his life, that Galileo created the blueprint for a new type of escapement component, specifically designed for the pendulum clock. Unfortunately, Galileo was unable to complete his invention before he died in 1642. However, 14 years after Galileo died, a famous Dutch scientist and mathematician by the name of Christiaan Huygens (1629 - 1695) was credited with the invention of the first pendulum clock in 1656, which was based upon the original ideas of Galileo Galilei. Christiaan Huygens patented his pendulum clock design on 16 June 1657. But, in the very same year, it is believed that the anchor escapement component was invented by English polymath Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703). Importantly, Hooke's anchor escapement invention, proved to be a significant improvement on the verge escapement to such a degree that it quickly became the standard component in pendulum clocks from that moment onwards, until an even more impressive version was introduced in 1715 by the English clockmaker George Graham (1673 - 1751), which was called the deadbeat escapement, also known as the Graham escapement.

British Inventor Thomas Tompion (1639-1713)

Thomas Tompion (1639–1713) was a famous English clockmaker, watchmaker, and innovator. Tompion became a member of the elite Clock Makers Company in London in 1671 and became a master in 1704. It is said that Thomas Tompion lived in the golden era of the greatest English domestic clockmakers of all time, and many experts within the field of clock and watch production regard Tompion as the 'Father of English Clockmaking'. Tompion is credited with pioneering new techniques in watch design, and the quality of his work and reputation attracted royalty. Indeed, Thomas Tompion was honoured with the patronage of English sovereigns, namely, Charles II, James II, William III & Mary II, Queen Anne, and famous English inventor Robert Hooke. It is debatable whether Tompion was the inventor or innovator of a particular type of balance spring regulation in pocket watches, which subsequently enhanced his reputation and contributed to his financial success; however, his clock and watch craftsmanship was highly praised as exquisite. Over Tompion’s working career, he manufactured approximately 650 clocks and 5000 watches. Some of Tompion's original clocks still reside within Buckingham Palace as showpieces. Moreover, Tompion's old productions are amongst the most historic and important clocks and watches in the world. When Thomas Tompion died in 1713, he was honoured with a burial in Westminster Abbey, and a commemorative plaque, presenting his name, is situated outside the house in Fleet Street where he once lived.

African American Inventor Benjamin Banneker (1731 - 1806)

Most people may be astonished to discover that the son of a former slave, African American Benjamin Banneker (9 November 1731 – 9 October 1806), was the self-educated scientist who invented America's first fully functional clock. Benjamin Banneker grew up on his family's 100-acre farm close to present-day Ellicott City, in Baltimore County, Maryland. As a child, Banneker received some early education from a Quaker school. However, he was blessed with an exceptional memory and an obsessive appetite for reading books. Therefore, most of the advanced knowledge that he gained in mathematics, astronomy, and other subjects was realized through dedicated self-study. By the time he was 15, he had invented an irrigation system from nearby springs to control water flow to the crops on his family farm. Banneker regularly borrowed or purchased books on astronomy and mathematics from wherever and whomever he could find them. In the early 1750s, Banneker obtained a European-manufactured pocket watch from a wealthy acquaintance and then systematically dismantled the watch to meticulously examine its various components. From the knowledge he gained, later in 1753, Banneker created a fully functioning mechanical clock, which was officially stated as the first clock invented in the United States. Moreover, the clock invention was exceptionally precise and had functioned reliably for over 40 years. Benjamin Banneker had also accurately predicted a 1789 solar eclipse in America. He was a self-educated horologist and a successful author of publications written about almanacs. Banneker even sent a copy of his written work (concurrently requesting justice for African Americans) to the then Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, who respectfully reciprocated correspondence. Furthermore, the first President of the United States, George Washington, recruited Benjamin Banneker in 1791 as a member of the surveying team, which created the initial boundaries for Washington, DC. Benjamin Banneker led a remarkable and eventful life, and his legacy lives on through various commemorations in the USA.

Biphasic Sleeping Schedules

Historical evidence reveals that prior to the industrial revolution and the general introduction of electricity and alarm clocks, the dominant sleep pattern in Western societies was biphasic, meaning, a sleep pattern in which most people divided their sleep into two main segments each day. During this era, most households retired as soon as darkness fell, as a result, during the winter months, it is thought that a great many people went to sleep about 7pm, while during the summer months, most people went to sleep around 9pm, and for many individuals the duration of the first sleep phase was between 4 - 5 hours. At dead of night when the cloak of darkness enveloped the land, it would have been extremely disconcerting for individuals to venture outdoors, since streetlamps had not been invented. After the first sleep phase, it was common for many people to engage in a variety of nocturnal activities within their candle-lit homes, and then later, people went back to sleep for a few hours before waking up at dawn the next day. In the pre-industrial era, many people lived in rural communities and grew their own food or lived on farms. Also, the act of people waking up at a precise time each day was comparatively less important. But whether it is seen as a burden or a blessing, it was important for most citizens to keep some kind of personal time schedule. In certain rural towns or farms with livestock, dawn was heralded by raucous roosters, lambs baying, cows mooing, or a chuckling cacophony of chickens and hens; alternatively, for many people living in certain other towns or cities, church bells tolling in the distance would have served as a reliable medieval alarm system.

Monophasic Sleeping Schedules

During the 19th century, so-called knocker-uppers were individuals who were employed to wake up homeowners each morning by using long sticks to tap repeatedly on people's windows. The familiar sound of a rat-a-tat-tat on window-panes at the break of day was all too common in this era, especially on the windows of mill workers and wealthy homeowners. However, some people undertook more natural methods, such as sleeping during the night with their curtains or windows partially opened, desiring to be woken up by the embrace of the morning sunlight or to be pleasantly stirred at dawn by ever-present birds conducting their symphonies. When the Industrial Revolution occurred between 1760 to 1840, its impact generated greater work productivity, initiated a significant demand for more factories and factory workers, and dramatically increased urbanization. As a result, many people had to change their sleep routines when they committed to new factory working schedules. But from the early 20th century, evidence revealed that people generally began to retire to sleep around 10pm. However, in the modern era, biphasic sleep schedules eventually faded away to be replaced by monophasic sleep schedules, in other words, a sleeping pattern where people take one phase of sleep each day. The impact of the general availability of electric lighting in homes, factories, public areas, as well as technological developments such as alarm clocks, televisions, radios, and other types of developments, has dramatically changed people's work schedules, sleeping habits, and recreational activities. According to recent sleep statistics, depending on whether you are a night or daytime person, morning people (morning larks) or most people who are employed during the day, generally awaken between 5 - 7 am and then go to sleep between 9 - 11 pm. Meanwhile, night people's (night owls) sleeping patterns will vary; they go to sleep anytime between 2-5am and wake up approximately late mornings to early afternoons.