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  1. Discover
  2. Global Networks of Innovation: China, Islam and the West, 1100-1700

Reinventing Time

This unit looks at the various types of objects used to keep time since antiquity. It is based on a lecture by Philipp Nothaft, delivered in 2019 for the undergraduate course, 'Technology and Culture in Global Perspective, 1100–1700', (History Department, University of Oxford), with additional materials contributed by Howard Hotson in 2021. 

Sundials
Timekeeping devices
Not prescribed
Image for Timekeeping devices
The oldest sundials
Not prescribed
Image for The oldest sundials
Sundials in antiquity
Not prescribed
Image for Clone of Plato's Academy. Pompeii
Hemispherical sundial
Not prescribed
Image for Hemispherical sundial
Conical dial
Not prescribed
Image for Conical dial
Plane dial
Not prescribed
Image for Plane dial
Quadrans Vetus
Not prescribed
Image for Quadrans Vetus
Sundials in the Renaissance
Not prescribed
Image for Sundials in the Renaissance
Portable Sundials
Not prescribed
Image for Diptych dial MHS 41986 1
Water clocks
Outflow water clock, ca 1350 BCE
Not prescribed
Image for Water clock
Inflow water clock
Not prescribed
Image for Inflow water clock
Anaphoric water clock, ca 50 BCE
Not prescribed
Image for Anaphoric Clock
Astronomical Clock of Su Song (1020-1101)
Not prescribed
Image for Astronomical Clock of Su Song
Ismail al-Jazari's Elephant clock, ca 1200
Not prescribed
Image for Al-Jazari's Elephant Clock
Mechanical clocks
Nova reperta: the mechanical clock
Prescribed
Image for Nova reperta: the mechanical clock
The mechanical clock: origin and purpose
Not prescribed
Image for Monastic origins of the mechanical clock
Key innovation: the escapement
Not prescribed
Image for Key innovation: the escapement
Richard of Wallingford's Astronomical Clock
Not prescribed
Image for Richard of Wallingford's Astronomical Clock
Giovanni Dondi's Astrarium, 1364
Not prescribed
Image for Clone of Astrarium by Giovanni Dondi
Prague Astronomical Clock (1410 onwards)
Not prescribed
Image for Prague Astronomical Clock (from 1410)
Modelling the movements of the heavens
Not prescribed
Image for Modelling the movements of the heavens
Astronomical tower clocks, ca 1380-1588
Not prescribed
Image for Clone of Astronomical clock, Lyon
Toward miniaturisation: the Fusee
Not prescribed
Image for Fusee
Imser Planetary Clock, ca 1554-61
Not prescribed
Image for Imser clock, Vienna
Prague, 1584: Celestial globe clock
Not prescribed
Image for Prague, 1584: Celestial globe clock
Santucci's sphere, Florence, 1588-93
Prescribed
Image for Santucci's sphere
Rolling Ball Clock, Augsburg, ca 1600
Not prescribed
Image for A Rolling Ball Clock from the Dresden Kunstkammer
Astrolabe table clock, Nuremberg, ca 1686
Not prescribed
Image for Astrolabe table clock
Feuerwerkbuch (mid 15th century)
Not prescribed
Image for Feuerwerkbuch (mid 15th century)
Automata
Automata
Not prescribed
Image for Automata
Automaton monk, probably Spanish, ca 1550
Not prescribed
Image for Automaton monk, ca 1550
Mechanical galleons, Augsburg c. 1585
Not prescribed
Image for Mechanical galleons, Augsburg c. 1585
Diana on a centaur, 1602-6
Not prescribed
Image for Diana on a centaur, Augsburg 1602-6
Elephant Automaton Clock, Augsburg, 1600-10
Not prescribed
Image for Elephant Clock, LUMA
Minerva on a triumphal chariot, Augsburg, ca 1620
Not prescribed
Image for Minerva on a triumphal chariot, Augsburg, ca 1620
Musical Clock with Spinet and Organ, Augsburg, ca 1625
Not prescribed
Image for Musical Clock with Spinet and Organ, Augsburg, ca 1625
Mechanical clocks in Asia
Lantern clock with pyramid stand (c. 1700)
Not prescribed
Image for Lantern clock with pyramid stand (c. 1700)
Japanese pillar clock
Not prescribed
Image for Japanese pillar clock
Japanese 'Inro' Watch
Not prescribed
Image for Japanese 'Inro' Watch