As time passed, the more advancement in timekeeping started to emerge. We started to see timepieces worn on the wrist and the use of quartz crystal in the creation of clocks. Atomic elements offered a more precise measurement of time keeping, while digital readings are still popular. In this article, you will learn more about the evolution of time keeping.
Greenwich Mean Time (1880)
The standard of timekeeping known as Greenwich Mean Time (also known as GMT) was established in 1880 and followed around the world. The time referred to mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. It was embraced as a universal standard until UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) was introduced in 1972. Astronomers even used it, but no longer use the term of Greenwich Mean Time. Today, GMT is the official time only during winter in the United Kingdom. During the summertime, British Summer Time is used.
Wristwatches (1880)
Made for the German navy, the first practical wristwatches are made. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that the wristwatch became a passing fad. It was originally called a Wristlet and mostly women wore the timepiece. At the time, it wasn’t embraced as a serious method of telling time. It was suggested that a ‘real man’ carried a pocket watch rather than wear their timepiece on their wrist. The popularity of the wristwatch grew during World War I. Soldier found it difficult to use a pocket watch when they were on the battlefield so they started attaching their watches to the wrist with a leather strap.
Quartz Crystal Clock (1928)
The first quartz crystal clock is made in the United States. Quartz clocks use an electronic oscillator regulated by quartz crystal to keep time. The oscillator produces a signal that possesses a highly precise frequency. The accuracy is better than other mechanical clocks. These timekeepers displayed units of hours, minutes, and seconds, and have become the most widely-used method in the world , seen in most wall clocks and watches. Computers and household appliances (such as the microwave) also use quartz clock technology to tell the time.
Atomic Clock (1949)
An atomic clock uses electronic transition frequency associated with atoms concerning microwave, optical, and ultraviolet waves. This form of timekeeping is known as one of the most accurate. It is this type that helps control the wave frequency of TV broadcasts and global navigation satellite systems , better known as GPS. The concept of using atomic transitions to measure time was an initial thought of Lord Kelvin, who proposed the idea in 1879. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s when magnetic resonance developed by Isidor Rabi, that scientists had the practical method of achieving the concept.
Battery Watches (1957)
The first battery watches are marketed in the United States.
Quartz on the Wrist (1969)
The first quartz wristwatches are sold in Japan.
Digital Watches (1970)
Across the world, digital watches and digital displays are becoming increasingly popular. They are also readily available because they don’t cost as much to make, and can be sold for a cheap price.