Mechanical clock
device · 1300 · Middle Ages
A clock with a weight or spring, an escapement and a gear train.
What it is made of
- Gear — has part. A gear train counts seconds, minutes and hours.
- Escapement — has part. The escapement releases energy in portions and sets the rhythm.
Principles and materials it uses
- Iron — is made of. Medieval clocks were iron.
Where it is used
- Parking meter — is part of. A clock mechanism.
- Taximeter — is part of. It measures the time of the ride.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Water clock (clepsydra) — evolved from. Mechanical clocks replaced water clocks, swapping the flow of water for an escapement.
- Pendulum clock — evolved into. Huygens added a pendulum to the mechanical clock.
- Quartz clock — evolved into. Quartz clocks replaced mechanical ones: a vibrating quartz crystal took the place of the pendulum and balance.
What it is a kind of
- Pocket watch — includes. A portable mechanical clock.
- Alarm clock — includes. A clock.
- Tower clock — includes. A clock.
- Marine chronometer — includes. A marine chronometer is a very accurate mechanical clock that sailors used to find longitude.
- Wristwatch — includes. A wristwatch is a mechanical clock made small enough to wear.