The first clocks
Some of the earliest clocks were vessels which slowly filled with water, marking the hours by marks on the inside of the container. Mechanised water clocks were developed by the Greeks and the Romans; they achieved greater accuracy by regulating the water flow and pressure.
Sundials
Sundials have been in use for centuries. Possibly the first portable timepiece was an Egyptian sundial called a shadow clock. By the 10th century, pocket sundials were in use.
Wall clocks
Wall clocks first started appearing in homes of the wealthy about 400 years ago. These clocks were driven by weights on a chain. It would be necessary to frequently reset the weights in order to keep the clock running. The earliest of these clocks needed to be hung high on the wall and were only marked with the hours and quarters as they had no minute hand.It would be necessary to frequently reset the weights in order to keep the clock running.
Pendulum Clocks
Pendulum clocks were invented in the 17th century. Greater accuracy was possible with pendulum clocks as by altering the position of the pendulum bob, the clock could be speeded up or slowed down. By the end of the century with the introduction of the anchor escapement, these clocks were accurate to within a few seconds a week.
Grandfather Clocks
The term Grandfather Clock dates from 1876 when an American, Henry Work published a song called My Grandfather Clock.
Electric Clocks
The first Electric clock was patented in 1908 by Henry Warren. These clocks were battery powered and were produced on a commercial scale. In 1916 these clocks were enhanced by the invention of a small A.C. motor, later he was able to produce an electric clock with split-second accuracy. His company was later bought by General Electric which in 1979 was in turn bought by the Timex Corporation.
