Keeping Time

The podcast explores the history of timekeeping, from ancient methods to modern technology. It traces early timekeeping back to the use of gnomons and shadow clocks in ancient civilizations like China and Egypt, which were initially used to track seasons and astrological events rather than precise minutes. The discussion moves through sundials, portable sundials, and water clocks, highlighting innovations by the Greeks, Muslims, and Chinese, including the use of incense and mercury for more accurate time measurement. The hosts then discuss the development of mechanical clocks in Europe, focusing on the role of weights, gears, and the verge foliate mechanism, and the impact of clocks on societal structures. The conversation concludes with the evolution of watches, noting the shift from spring-based clocks to wearable devices and the influence of military needs on watch features like water resistance and chronographs.