Listverse
Before smartphones and wristwatches, telling time required a little more ingenuity—and a lot more moving parts. From burning candles with nails to intricate hydraulic machines powered by flowing water, ancient and medieval societies developed bizarrely creative timekeeping systems. These methods were often wildly elaborate, borderline ceremonial…
Read More
10 Ridiculously Complicated Ways People Used to Tell Time
Jamie Frater
11:24
Before smartphones and wristwatches, telling time required a little more ingenuity—and a lot more moving parts. From burning candles with nails to intricate hydraulic machines powered by flowing water, ancient and medieval societies developed bizarrely creative timekeeping systems. These methods were often wildly elaborate, borderline ceremonial…
