Time and Time-Tellers

audiobook

Time and Time-Tellers

by active 1857-1887 James W. Benson

EN·~3 hours·10 chapters

Chapters

10 total

TIME AND TIME-TELLERS.

0:01

TIME AND TIME-TELLERS.

0:08

INDEX TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS.

2:36

TIME AND TIME-TELLERS.

1:22:49

MODERN WATCHES: - THEIR VARIETIES AND MODES OF MANUFACTURE.

37:13

KEYLESS WATCHES.

2:37

HOUSE CLOCKS.

24:18

TURRET CLOCKS.

56:07

A FEW DATES AND DETAILS FOR - ALMANAC READERS.

8:24

Transcriber's Notes:

0:57

Description

This volume opens with a thoughtful meditation on the elusive nature of time, inviting listeners to contemplate how the past, present, and future stretch far beyond our everyday experience. The author blends philosophy with clear, engaging prose, drawing connections between ancient myths, scientific inquiry, and the fleeting moments that shape our lives. It’s a gentle reminder that while our personal timelines are brief, the concepts that surround them are vast and endlessly fascinating.

Beyond the reflections, the book becomes a richly illustrated tour of humanity’s greatest time‑keepers. From pocket dial watches and medieval water clocks to sophisticated chronographs and cathedral turret mechanisms, each device is described with care, highlighting its design, purpose, and place in history. Readers will hear vivid stories of iconic pieces—such as Oliver Cromwell’s watch and the intricate escapements that powered early clocks—making the technical details feel alive and relevant. Whether you’re a curious thinker or a devoted horology enthusiast, this guide offers a rewarding glimpse into how we have tried to measure, understand, and master time itself.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~3 hours (206K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Chris Curnow, Mark Young and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Release date

2014-06-04

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

A1

active 1857-1887 James W. Benson

A Victorian writer on clocks, watches, and the long human effort to measure time, he is best known for Time and Time-Tellers, first published in 1875. His work turns the history of timekeeping into an accessible, curious tour through dials, mechanisms, and everyday life.

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