Summary
Highlights
Ctesibius invented the first accurate and fully automatic clock, transforming timekeeping from simple buckets to an intricate and groundbreaking device.
Ctesibius ensured a constant water height in the first chamber by continuously feeding water and using an overflow pipe, allowing the second chamber to rise at a steady rate for accurate time measurement.
To achieve a continuously running clock, Ctesibius fitted a siphon, possibly the first use of a siphon in a machine. This allowed the clock to automatically empty and reset itself, marking a revolutionary advancement.
Ctesibius addressed the problem of varying daylight hours by using a water wheel, cogs, and a cylinder that adjusted the hour lines daily, making the clock accurate for different seasons.
Ctesibius's water clock ran 24/7, 365 days a year, and remained the most accurate clock in the world for over 2,000 years, highlighting its astonishing precision.