Water Clock Tick Tock: Consider a Water Clock
Posted by lindseyshoe
Just want to buy a water clock? Click here.
Old becomes new again. Water clocks have been used for centuries. But what’s new about them. Even more importantly how is using a water clock part of going “green?”
Cars that run on water are relatively new and still rare but clocks that run on water, or water clocks, have been around for centuries. Far from their humble ancient beginnings, today’s water clocks have LCD screens and will run on water or other liquids. Imagine never plugging in a clock to an electrical outlet or buying batteries for a clock. With no hard to dispose of batteries and no electricity use, water clocks are eco-friendly time machines.
The History of Water Clocks
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Chinese used water clocks. Unlike the time measuring forerunner, the sundial, water clocks did not depend on sunlight so they could be used to track time on cloudy days or throughout the night. One of the earliest examples of a water clock was found in a tomb buried around 1500 B.C. The Greeks began using water clocks in 325 B.C. Their versions were stone vessels with sloping sides that allowed water to drip from a small hole in the bottom. The water dripped at an almost constant rate but these clocks were not completely accurate. Markings on the inside surfaces marked the passages of hours.
Later, metal bowls were used, attempts were made to regulate water pressure and time displays became more elaborate.
Eventually, water clocks were designed that rang bells or gongs, moved dials, or opened doors and showed little people, much like a cuckoo clock.
As elaborate as these ancient water clocks were, since the rate of flow of water is very difficult to accurately control, a water clock that depends completely on the flow of water has limited accuracy.
Today’s Water Clocks Pass the Test of Time
Today, water clocks actually have LCD screens and fuel cells. Water is added to the fuel cell and the fuel cells extract electrons from the electrolyte. This forms a steady stream of electrical current that powers the tracking of time on the latest water clocks.
Harnessing water molecules provides a pollution free, green electrical current. Some water clocks claim to work with liquids other than water (such as soda, coffee, beer or fruit juice).
To set a water clock you just have to fill the fuel cells with water, set the date and time and watch it go. Most new water clocks will keep time for up to two months before more water will be needed. Water clocks are fairly inexpensive starting at $12.99. Some versions even have a vase component that can hold a few flowers in the water reservoir to really green up your desk.
In addition to water powered clocks, there are also water powered calculators on the market. Like solar powered calculators, these water powered calculators need no batteries but don’t require light either.
Just as scientists are hard at work to make more batteries eco-friendly, like the latest chlorophyll organic battery, new technology is also reaching back in time to ancient methods like water power to eliminate the need for batteries.
If you’re trying to go green and go battery free, these water powered clocks may be just what you’re looking for.
Check out water clocks at Amazon.com”.
7 Responses to “Water Clock Tick Tock: Consider a Water Clock”
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Fascinating! and we think ancient thinking/cultures were primitive?
But you mention those hard to dispose of batteries, my question is how/where does one responsibly dispose of them??
My local recycling depot won’t take any other than car batteries. -
Hey John!
Thanks for your question.
A quick short answer here for a couple of places to start with…
Read our guide to disposing of and recycling batteries
That will also tell you more about http://www.rbrc.org
For some more Australia specific information, you should read the post here:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/04/03/2267627.htm?site=science/greenguru&topic=latest
Hope this is helpful!
Warmest,
Jonathan
http://www.GreenJoyment.com -
Hi,
Would you happen to know of a site (or place) that I can go to get information about disposing of used CD’s or DVD’s?
Thanks,
Wanda -
i like the story of the water clock.I didnt know this before im looking forward to construct my own water clock in the few days to come
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Hey John, Carrie
This is the most fascinating thing that I have read !!! I would love to see this clock and know more on how its manufactured etc.. This is just a great innovation which dates back centuries !!
Many Thanks,
Sameer Kelkar -
is the “used” water from the electric water clock drinkable???
i love the information about the water clock although i am some one that like things that is being created and also is looking for a helping in what i am about to create.
thanks
Samuel Odey