The History of Timekeeping

Sundial

Clepsydra

Astrolabe

Candle Clock

Sandglass

Mechanical Clock

Spring-Driven Clock

Pendulum Clock

Quartz Clock

Cesium Atomic Clock

 

Sandglass
  The sandglass is believed to have been invented in Europe around the time of the 14th century. The sandglass appears to be two cup-like objects called glass vessels, connected at the center, or the orifice. The substance that makes its way from the first cup to the second cup could be of the following: powdered eggshell, marble dust, and sand. The passage between the first and the second cup is ten times wider than the single particle being used. Sandglasses were first used to measure cooking times. These instruments later proceeded to tell the time of many other events.