Question

Why were the ancient methods of measuring time abandoned? Explain with examples

Answer 1

Prehistoric man, by simple observation of the stars, changes in the seasons, day and night began to come up with very primitive methods of measuring time. This was necessary for planning nomadic activity, farming, sacred feasts, etc..

The earliest time measurement devices before clocks and watches were the sundial, hourglass and water clock.

The forerunners to the sundial were poles and sticks as well as larger objects such as pyramids and other tall structures. Later the more formal sundial was invented. It is generally a round disk marked with the hours like a clock. It has an upright structure that casts a shadow on the disk - this is how time is measured with the sundial.

The hourglass was also used in ancient times. It was made up of two rounded glass bulbs connected by a narrow neck of glass between them. When the hourglass is turned upside down, a measured amount of sand particles stream through from the top to bottom bulb of glass. Today's egg timers are modern versions of the hourglass.

Another ancient time measurer was the water clock or clepsydra. It was a evenly marked container with a spout in which water dripped out. As the water dripped out of the container one could note by the water level against the markings what time it was.

One of the earliest clocks was invented by Pope Sylvester II in the 990s. Later on chimes or bells were added as well as dials to the clocks.

Early clocks were powered by falling weights and springs. Later clocks with pendulums came into existence in 1657.

Electric clocks came into being after 1850, but were not popular until the twentieth century. An electric motor with alternating current powers these clocks. Later digital clocks with LCD (liquid crystal displays) rivaled the electric clocks. Quartz clocks use the vibrations of a quartz crystal to power the clock.

Watches are different than clocks in that they are carried about or worn. The first watches appeared by the 1500s and were made by hand. They were very fancy and their faces were covered by fine metal strips to protect the markings. Watches were manufactured by machine in the mid 1800s.

At first watches had knobs on the outside that the wearer wound to keep the mainspring powered inside. Later on, self-winding watches derived power from the movement of the wearer. With the advent of quartz crystal watches with digital displays, the need for motors for watches has decreased.

Today's clocks and watches are increasingly digital devices, often set via satellite guidance.

hope it helps!

Answer 2

Explanation:

Because we had new technology in hand, and everybody forgot our ancient methods of measuring time.