History of Watches
From LoveToKnow Watches
The history of watches is something that we rarely, if ever, think about. We take our modern day time keeping for granted as we have clocks on our walls, our cell phones, in our cars, and on our wrists. But where did watches originate? How did people keep time before the current items of convenience came about? Read on for some fascinating facts about the history of watches, and to find out why we should be grateful we didn't live way back when!
The Early Ways Of Telling Time
Primitive Time Keeping
Back before Casio and Rolex, there was the caveman. And while intelligence levels were probably pretty low, the history of watches began here with this people group that observed the sun and the shifting shadows throughout the day in order to determine when they should partake in various activities. Hunting and warring with other tribes especially were determined by the position of the sun in the sky, and the shadows cast on caves helped these primitive communities know what was going to happen when.
Later on, around 4000 B.C., knowledge of astronomy began to develop and people began to use not only the sun, but the moon and the stars as well, to form a calendar system and a more complex form of time keeping. This is also how the Zodiac signs developed, which is another aspect of the history of watches that many people do not consider. Before the Zodiac was all about horoscopes and personality profiles, it was a way of keeping time.
The First Clock
The sundial is the first clock that we have solid evidence of. Man had developed in his knowledge that early engineering came about through the means of noticing the sun bouncing off of cliffs and discovering that that could be simulated through the sundial. One website covering the history of watches describes this as no easy task.
"The sun-dial underwent so many changes that a volume would be needed to describe them all. For example, it was found that the shadow of an upright stick or stone varied from day to day, because, as we have already noticed, the sun rises farther north in summer in the northern hemisphere than it does in winter. So the mark for a certain hour would change as the season changed, and the dial would not indicate time accurately. However, the final improvement of the dial was made when it was discovered that by slanting the pointer, or gnomon, exactly toward the north pole of the sky--the point where the north star appears at night--the sun's shadow could be cast upon a flat surface with accurate results in indicating time."
The History Of Watches Meets Convenience
While there are many more other time developments between the sundial and the modern day watch, for the sake of convenience we are skipping over the less relevant ones. Long story short, the first actual "watch" as we know it today was developed around the year 1500. Starting with enormous clock towers and then evolving into smaller clocks, eventually a clock became small enough that it could be worn on a belt or on a chain around the neck.
However, unlike the light and portable watches we have today, these watches were heavy and egg shaped, so you would not carry it in your pocket or wear it on a day to day basis.
Watches continued to get smaller and more compact, and the tradition of decorated watches began and then continued through the 19th century. Queen Elizabeth and her court selected watches to coordinate with their outfits, just as many women do today, only back then the watches were a lot more cumbersome!
Time Pieces Today
So the next time that you see a clock or a watch, think of the great progression of minds and inventions that had to take place in order for you to have the convenience that you have today. A lot of trial and error, a lot of feuding, and a lot of innovation contributed to the modern day watch, though few people will ever realize it.
Next time you are watch shopping, consider sharing this article with a friend - and impressing them with your history of watches knowledge!
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