Die Uhren: Ein Abriß der Geschichte der Zeitmessung

This compact volume traces humanity’s quest to tame the invisible flow of time, beginning with the earliest sun‑dials and water clocks of ancient cultures. Through a series of concise chapters, readers discover how lunar cycles gave rise to months, how medieval weight‑driven mechanisms hinted at greater precision, and how ingenious thinkers like Galilei and Huygens turned pendulums into reliable markers of the hour. Richly illustrated with sixty‑five historic plates, the book lets listeners picture each step of the craft, from stone monuments to the delicate gears of pocket watches.

The later sections follow the surge of industrial production, highlighting Swiss workshops, the evolution of escapements, and the birth of electric and chronometer technologies. By linking the mechanical breakthroughs to modern demands for punctuality, the narrative shows why clocks remain a mirror of society’s changing pace. Listeners will come away with a clear sense of how a simple need—to know when to begin and end—spurred centuries of artistic and scientific ingenuity.