history of timekeeping

The history of timekeeping tracks humanity's effort to measure and organize time. Early methods relied on sundials and water clocks, using natural cycles. Mechanical clocks emerged in the Middle Ages, improving precision. The invention of pendulum clocks in the 17th century greatly enhanced accuracy. The 20th century introduced atomic clocks, which use the vibrations of atoms to keep extremely precise time, leading to the standard definition of the second. Today, satellite-based systems like GPS rely on atomic time to provide precise positioning, demonstrating how advances in timekeeping have become essential for modern technology and daily life.