The Wristwatch

1
The Wristwatch

• Its evolution is socially constructed

2
In the beginning

• The first devices were calendars
• Stonehenge indicated winter solstice
• Phases of moon as well

3
Shadow clocks and sundials

• First appear 3500 BCE
• Sumerians and Egyptians

4
Borrowed from previous technology

• Similarities evident
• Sun Dial at Jantar Mantar 1724
• Worlds largest
• Built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, India
• Observatory makes it clock and calendar
• Think about Muslim influences

5
Technology is useful

• Kochi Castle, Japan
• Made in Edo Era (1603-1867) Japan in isolation
• Simple string gnomon, and markings called a
  dial had profound impact on lives of citizens
• Knowledge of time vital culturally
• People had sex based on what time it was
• Many other significant activities relevant

6
Water Clocks

• Emerge about 325 BCE

7
First complex mechanisms

• From 1088 Used water-driven power source
• Around 1300 weights drove mechanisms
• Through 15th Century
• Clerics controlled time
• Only nobility had clocks

8
Precursor to Spring Mechanism Emerges

• The Wells Cathedral Clock 1392
• Second oldest public clock in Britain
• On display at Museum of Science

9
Improving on existing technology

• 1500-1510 Spring-powered mechanisms
• German portable table clock
• Peter Henlein of Nuremberg invents the spring
  mechanism
• Signifies switch from public to private clocks

10
Earliest Watches

• Ornate, expensive contraptions that contributed
  more to wearers social status than their
  punctuality
• 1500-1603
• Many had no minute hand
• Take apart to wind

11
Determine longitude at sea

• Harrison- Chronometers 1735
• Motion made regular clocks inaccurate
• These devices were accurate at sea

12
Looks like a watch

• The fourth chronometer
• 1761 HMS Deptford sails to Jamaica
• Trial run
• loses only five seconds

13
Wristwatches have issues

• Men wont wear effeminate devices
• Prefer pocket watches they cost 1.00
• looks like
  a German military

wristwatch
14
War changes things

• Too dangerous to reach into pocket during heat of
  battle
• Men first start wearing them in Boer War
• 1899-1902
• Arguably the technology that helped British win
  the war

15
We have the technology

• WWI good to have, but purchase your own if
  American or British
• Germans equipped their soldiers, but they look
  girly (previous slide)

16
Great Depression no production

• By 1920s Wristwatches are the norm
• Commonplace for men and women
• Watches only made for military orders
• Mostly by Swiss (Neutral, so they sell to
  everybody)
• Traditional culture
• Worried changing would hurt them

17
Modern Technology

• Bells and Whistles
• But they still tell time

18
GPS

• Portable clocks were once important for
  navigation, GPS has taken over
• Paper Watch (Not Shown)
• Newest Technology