Clockwork wonders

For whom the bell tolls: 10 ways to tell time without a clock!

Image: Jon Tyson

Measuring time has always been a challenge. Before the advent of modern clocks, how did people keep track of the hours? Well, they had to rely on a mix of strange yet ingenious methods. While these early timekeeping devices lacked the precision we expect today from an average clock, they were still effective tools for organizing daily life and gaining a sense of time's passage. Here are 10 quirky timekeeping methods that shaped how we understand time today.

Image: Elijah Mears

The ancient sundial relied on the position of the sun to tell time. A vertical stick, or gnomon, cast a shadow across a circular plate marked with hours of the day. As the Earth rotated, the shadow moved, indicating the time.

Sundials are one of the oldest timekeeping devices, dating back over 4,000 years.

Image: chris robert

Water clocks, also known as clepsydra, date back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece. Water would drip steadily from one container to another, and the water level in the container indicated the passage of time.

Though simple, water clocks were essential, especially in places where sundials weren’t efficient at night or on cloudy days.

Image: Paolo Nicolello

Candle clocks were quite literally a burning representation of time. Wax candles would be molded with markings that melted away as time passed, revealing a rough estimate of how long the candle had been burning.

Often used in medieval times, these candles allowed people to track the passage of time with enough accuracy for everyday tasks like cooking, especially in the absence of better methods.

Image: Adrian Dascal

The Inca civilization was built around the worship of the Sun, so it's no surprise they developed several solar dial-like systems —often integrated into the architecture itself— to tell time during the day.

For longer periods, they relied on a complex system of knotted cords called quipu, which served as both a data storage and record-keeping method. It could also function as a calendar, making it into a sort of "ancient computer."

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

Hourglasses have been used since ancient Greece as a portable timekeeping tool. Two glass bulbs connected by a narrow passage allowed sand to flow from one bulb to the other at a constant rate, measuring short periods of time.

These simple devices were particularly useful for tasks that required short intervals, like timing speeches or controlling the length of a workday.

Image: Lorenzo Castagnone

In coastal regions, some cultures used the tides to keep time. Tidal clocks tracked the regular rise and fall of the ocean's tides, which could vary depending on the phase of the moon.

These clocks were especially important for people living near the sea who needed to schedule tasks such as fishing or docking boats.

Image: brandon siu

Star clocks, also known as nocturnals, were used by ancient navigators and astronomers to track the time based on the positions of stars. By measuring the angles of stars relative to the horizon, one could determine the time during the night.

This method was vital for long-distance sailors, especially before the invention of accurate marine clocks.

Image: John H Rhodes

In medieval Europe, bell towers played a significant role in timekeeping. Since not everyone had a precise timekeeping device at hand, large bells would toll at set intervals to signal important times of day, such as the start of work or religious events.

These tolls became an integral part of daily life in cities and towns, marking the rhythms of the community.

Image: Jason Olliff

Mechanical clocks, emerging in Europe in the 14th century, used a system of gears and weights to keep time. These clocks improved over earlier methods, providing a much more reliable and accurate way to track hours.

Initially, mechanical clocks were installed in church towers and monasteries to mark the hours of prayer. Their popularity grew, and by the 17th century, mechanical clocks became commonplace in homes and businesses.

Image: Pawel Czerwinski

Invented in 1656 by Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens, the pendulum clock revolutionized timekeeping with its incredible accuracy. A swinging pendulum regulated the movement of the clock's gears, ensuring precise time measurement.

Pendulum clocks became central to scientific research, navigation, and industrial time regulation, with some designs still in use today.

PHILOSOPHY TO GO

10 Essential Nuggets Of Wisdom From Ancient Philosophers

Image: Adam King

Ancient philosophers may have lived in a time long past, but their ideas continue to resonate with us today. In their pursuit of understanding the complexities of existence, they often came up with simple yet profound insights that still hold relevance in our modern lives.

Join us as we uncover 10 fundamental ideas from antiquity’s wisest minds.

Image: Михаил Секацкий

"To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom"

Socrates, the father of Western philosophy, urged individuals to delve deep into self-awareness. He famously argued that an unexamined life was not worth living, as understanding oneself is the key to living a fulfilled life. By questioning our beliefs, desires, and motives, we can navigate the complexities of existence with clarity and purpose.

Image: Jem Sahagun

"Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you"

Confucius emphasized the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. His Golden Rule of treating others the same way we expect to be treated ourselves is a timeless reminder of the power that empathy and compassion have in fostering harmonious relationships and societies.

Image: Matt Bennett

"There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power or our will"

Stoic philosophers like Epictetus taught the concept of focusing only on what is within our control and accepting what is not. This principle liberates us from unnecessary worry about external events, enabling us to focus our time and energy on actions that can actually make a difference in our lives.

Image: Aamir Suhail

"Virtue is the golden mean between two vices, the one of excess and the other of deficiency"

Aristotle advocated for moderation in all things, promoting the idea of finding the balance between extremes. Whether it's in pursuing pleasure, seeking knowledge, or exercising virtues, maintaining a middle path fosters harmony and avoids the pitfalls of excess.

Image: George Liapis

"Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being"

The ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi extolled the virtues of simplicity and spontaneity. By embracing the natural flow of life and shedding unnecessary complexities, we can find true contentment and peace within ourselves.

Image: Wil Stewart

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not"

Epicurus defined pleasure as the absence of pain and tranquility of the mind. His philosophy encourages seeking simple pleasures and cultivating inner serenity rather than chasing fleeting desires that go nowhere, leading to a more sustainable and fulfilling life.

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"No one ever steps in the same river twice"

Heraclitus famously argued that change is the only constant in life. Just like the waters of a running river are never the same, every element of existence transforms yet simultaneously retains an element of itself. Embracing this inevitable part of life allows us to adapt and grow, finding strength in the ebb and flow of things.

Image: Olivier Guillard

"The greatest wealth is to live content with little"

Diogenes, the Cynic philosopher, lived a minimalist lifestyle to demonstrate the insignificance of material possessions. Allegedly, when asked by Alexander the Great what he could do for him, he bluntly asked the monarch to move so he would stop blocking his sunlight. His radical rejection of both wealth and social status challenges us to reassess our priorities and find true value in the intangible aspects of life.

Image: Denys Nevozhai

"Accept the things to which fate binds you"

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius embraced stoicism and with it the idea of fate and the impermanence of life. By acknowledging the inevitability of death and adversity in life, he sought to cultivate inner resilience and focus on living virtuously in the present moment.

Image: Kenny Eliason

"Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all"

Hypatia, a renowned mathematician and philosopher in ancient Alexandria, championed the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual inquiry. Despite societal constraints placed on women during her time, she fearlessly pursued learning. A tragic heroine of antiquity, she teaches us that thinking is our utmost right, and the only way to reach truth is learning from our mistakes.