The History & Evolution of Clocks

How humanity learned to measure time — from sundials to atomic clocks

45 minFoundations

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the importance of timekeeping and its evolution
  • Identify different timekeeping methods used throughout history and across cultures
  • Reflect on the impact of accurate timekeeping in our modern world
  • Analyze historical clock designs and produce a short design brief explaining practical and aesthetic choices

Fun Fact

The word "clock" comes from the Latin word "clocca," which means "bell." This is because the earliest clocks used bells to announce the time. The oldest working clock in the world is the Salisbury Cathedral clock, built in 1386 — and it's still ticking in England.

Quick Check

1. Which civilization is credited with developing some of the earliest sundials?

2. What innovation dramatically improved timekeeping precision in 1656?

3. How accurate is a modern atomic clock (like the NIST-F2)?

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