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The History of Timekeeping (Radio Edit)

You're Dead to Me

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Mechanical Clocks and the Projection of Political Power

The concept of mechanical clocks dates back to around the 11th or 12th century, developed by Islamic or European makers. The first mechanical clocks were made in Europe around 1275, initially designed to mechanize the process of ringing bells from tall towers. These early clocks did not have a visual dial or clock face; their sole function was to ring bells. The purpose of installing these mechanical clocks in public spaces was to exert political power and impose temporal order on the population of towns and cities.

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