日本語

Combustion Clocks

Do you know about combustion clocks? Combustion clocks are what we usually call clocks that make use of materials which burn at roughly the same constant speed when we set light to them.
I didn’t know about them at all! What is this square box-type thing?
It’s one kind of combustion clock, called an incense clock. It was mainly used in temples. People would draw lines on it using powdered incense and then light them. The length of the line that had burned would tell them what time it was. It’s interesting, because it’s completely different from the clocks we have today!
I’m really surprised to see that this is a clock! What’s this long tall thing, Professor?
This is another kind of combustion clock, called a lamp clock. In the past, when there was no electricity, people would use oil lamps to light their rooms. Once lit, the oil inside the glass part of the lamp burns at roughly the same constant speed. People could tell the time from the remaining amount of oil by reading the markings on the side.
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History of Timepieces

Go back to the beginning

  • Sundials
  • Water clocks
  • Hourglasses
  • Combustion Clocks
  • The First Mechanical Clocks
  • Pendulum Clocks
  • Portable Mechanical Clocks & Watches
  • Quartz Clocks & Watches