Time is a dimension where events can be mapped based on when they occur. Just as distance measures how far two locations are from one another on a map, duration measures how far two events are from one another in the time dimension. Without this dimension, we would not be able to contrast events and observe change in the universe.
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It turns out everybody imagines the abstract calendar year in a simple, concrete way, though there are surprising differences between the exact model and shape of each image. Dive into one writer's collection of tens of thousands of questionnaire responses showing the fascinating consistency and divergence of how people visualize time.
The water clock, or clepsydra, is one of the earliest timekeeping devices. It was invented to overcome the limitations of sundials, which only worked in sunlight and could not measure time consistently. The oldest known water clock dates back to around 1400 BCE, and it was found in the tomb of Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
Clocks have revolutionized the way we live, structuring our days into abstract, regular units and providing quantification for those who are chronically late. The alarm clock was the next obvious step: clocks which not only tell you the time but...
The calendar we use to mark the days, months, and year can feel set in stone, but the history of calendars shows these organization systems can and do change. Parse the fascinating, complex details of the Gregorian, Julian, Chinese, Hebrew, and many more calendars in this comprehensive, well-executed explainer video.
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Since our ancient human relatives began using stone tools to perform tasks, humans have harnessed scientific knowledge and new technologies to expand the boundaries of our understanding of the natural world. From quantum computing and microplastics to artificial intelligence and memory, explore these topics and more with our concise yet informative overviews and expert-curated resources.