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
The oldest sundials
Not prescribed
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Sundials in antiquity
Not prescribed
Image for Clone of Plato's Academy. Pompeii
Hemispherical sundial
Not prescribed
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Conical dial
Not prescribed
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Plane dial
Not prescribed
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Quadrans Vetus
Not prescribed
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Sundials in the Renaissance
Not prescribed
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Portable Sundials
Not prescribed
Image for Diptych dial MHS 41986 1
Water clocks
Outflow water clock
Not prescribed
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Inflow water clock
Not prescribed
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Anaphoric water clock
Not prescribed
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Ismail al-Jazari's Elephant clock
Not prescribed
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Astronomical Clock of Su Song (1020-1101)
Not prescribed
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Mechanical clocks
Nova reperta: the mechanical clock
Prescribed
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Components of the first European mechanical clocks
Not prescribed
Image for Verge and Foliot mechanism
Richard of Wallingford's Astronomical Clock
Not prescribed
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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
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Astronomical tower clocks
Not prescribed
Image for Clone of Astronomical clock, Lyon
Astrolabe table clock
Not prescribed
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Toward miniaturisation: the Fusee
Not prescribed
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Feuerwerkbuch (mid 15th century)
Not prescribed
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Automata
Automata
Not prescribed
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Mechanical galleons, Augsburg c. 1585
Not prescribed
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Diana on a centaur, 1602-6
Not prescribed
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Minerva on a triumphal chariot, Augsburg, c. 1620
Not prescribed
Image for Minerva on a triumphal chariot, Augsburg, c. 1620
Mechanical clocks in Asia
Lantern clock with pyramid stand (c. 1700)
Not prescribed
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Japanese pillar clock
Not prescribed
Image for Japanese pillar clock
Japanese 'Inro' Watch
Not prescribed
Image for Japanese 'Inro' Watch