Clockwork wonders

For whom the bell tolls: 10 ways to tell time without a clock!

Credit: Jon Tyson

Measuring time has always been a challenge. Before the advent of modern clocks, how did people keep track of the hours? Well, they had to rely on a mix of strange yet ingenious methods. While these early timekeeping devices lacked the precision we expect today from an average clock, they were still effective tools for organizing daily life and gaining a sense of time's passage. Here are 10 quirky timekeeping methods that shaped how we understand time today.

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The ancient sundial relied on the position of the sun to tell time. A vertical stick, or gnomon, cast a shadow across a circular plate marked with hours of the day. As the Earth rotated, the shadow moved, indicating the time.

Sundials are one of the oldest timekeeping devices, dating back over 4,000 years.

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Water clocks, also known as clepsydra, date back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece. Water would drip steadily from one container to another, and the water level in the container indicated the passage of time.

Though simple, water clocks were essential, especially in places where sundials weren’t efficient at night or on cloudy days.

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Candle clocks were quite literally a burning representation of time. Wax candles would be molded with markings that melted away as time passed, revealing a rough estimate of how long the candle had been burning.

Often used in medieval times, these candles allowed people to track the passage of time with enough accuracy for everyday tasks like cooking, especially in the absence of better methods.

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The Inca civilization was built around the worship of the Sun, so it's no surprise they developed several solar dial-like systems —often integrated into the architecture itself— to tell time during the day.

For longer periods, they relied on a complex system of knotted cords called quipu, which served as both a data storage and record-keeping method. It could also function as a calendar, making it into a sort of "ancient computer."

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Hourglasses have been used since ancient Greece as a portable timekeeping tool. Two glass bulbs connected by a narrow passage allowed sand to flow from one bulb to the other at a constant rate, measuring short periods of time.

These simple devices were particularly useful for tasks that required short intervals, like timing speeches or controlling the length of a workday.

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In coastal regions, some cultures used the tides to keep time. Tidal clocks tracked the regular rise and fall of the ocean's tides, which could vary depending on the phase of the moon.

These clocks were especially important for people living near the sea who needed to schedule tasks such as fishing or docking boats.

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Star clocks, also known as nocturnals, were used by ancient navigators and astronomers to track the time based on the positions of stars. By measuring the angles of stars relative to the horizon, one could determine the time during the night.

This method was vital for long-distance sailors, especially before the invention of accurate marine clocks.

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In medieval Europe, bell towers played a significant role in timekeeping. Since not everyone had a precise timekeeping device at hand, large bells would toll at set intervals to signal important times of day, such as the start of work or religious events.

These tolls became an integral part of daily life in cities and towns, marking the rhythms of the community.

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Mechanical clocks, emerging in Europe in the 14th century, used a system of gears and weights to keep time. These clocks improved over earlier methods, providing a much more reliable and accurate way to track hours.

Initially, mechanical clocks were installed in church towers and monasteries to mark the hours of prayer. Their popularity grew, and by the 17th century, mechanical clocks became commonplace in homes and businesses.

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Invented in 1656 by Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens, the pendulum clock revolutionized timekeeping with its incredible accuracy. A swinging pendulum regulated the movement of the clock's gears, ensuring precise time measurement.

Pendulum clocks became central to scientific research, navigation, and industrial time regulation, with some designs still in use today.

Curious words

10 bizarrely specific words from other languages

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Languages often have words uniquely tailored to describe feelings, situations, or objects that would require too many words to explain in English. These bizarrely specific words from around the world give us a glimpse into different ways people interact with the world through language. Here are 10 incredibly specific yet useful examples that may leave you wondering why English doesn’t have them.

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Meaning: The art of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver lacquer.

That being said, kintsugi is not just a repair technique —it symbolizes the acceptance of flaws and the passage of time.

This method not only enhances the object's true value but also leaves a beautiful testament to its history.

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Meaning: The pleasure derived from someone else’s misfortune.

While not entirely negative, schadenfreude describes the peculiar satisfaction we sometimes feel when others suffer. If you've ever laughed when someone accidentally tripped, you've partaken in schadenfreude.

It’s a complex emotional reaction, most often triggered when no real harm or damage is done to the other person.

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Meaning: The period of relaxation after a meal when people remain at the table, chatting.

More than just hanging out or lingering after a meal, the sobremesa is a cherished part of social life in both Spain and Latin America.

It’s a time for bonding, reflection, and conversation —without the rush to move on to the next activity.

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Meaning: A strong longing or desire to travel to far-off places.

Often translated as "wanderlust," fernweh is a deep, almost painful yearning for distant lands and adventures.

It's distinct from the common desire to travel, as it speaks to a craving for unfamiliarity, exploration, and the discovery of new cultures and landscapes.

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Meaning: The act of borrowing things from a friend’s house, one at a time, until there is nothing left.

This unusual word from the native Easter Island language points to an almost comical sense of gradual loss. Tingo suggests a certain slyness, as the borrower systematically takes things until there's nothing left to take.

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Meaning: Doing something with soul, creativity, or love.

Meraki is about putting your heart and soul into what you do.

It could be anything; cooking a meal, creating art, or even cleaning the house, but to count as meraki it must be done with such attention and passion that it becomes an expression of who you are.

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Meaning: The feeling of being out of one’s home country, experiencing unfamiliar surroundings.

While traveling can be exciting, dépaysement captures that disorienting feeling of being "out of place" in a new environment.

It’s not necessarily negative —rather, it’s a mix of confusion and thrill, as one navigates the unknown.

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Meaning: A deep emotional state of nostalgic longing for something or someone that is absent.

Saudade is often described as a melancholic feeling, but it also carries a sense of love and gratitude for what was once present.

This word is central to the Portuguese and Brazilian cultures, representing a longing for both lost people and moments that can never be recaptured.

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Meaning: A sense of coziness and togetherness, often in a comfortable, intimate setting.

Gezellig describes a feeling that goes beyond simple warmth and coziness as we understand it. It refers to the feeling of being surrounded by loved ones, enjoying simple comforts, or relaxing in the intimacy of your own house.

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Meaning: A profound and mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe.

Yūgen is a word that probes the depths of an experience that’s often beyond words. It’s not about directly experiencing beauty in the world, but rather about intuiting (and enjoying) the fleeting, impermanent nature of the universe.