Changes

By the 14th century, mechanical clocks in Europe to become more common. Clocks, similar to how they were used in China and Middle East, could also be used in conjunction with astronomical events, such as in predicting positioning of the moon, sun, and other objects. These astronomical clocks tried to keep of time and better understand how the amount of light might change on a daily basis. Mechanical clocks now began to have, by the 14th-15th centuries, more sophisticated appearances, including the use of weights. Pendulums were studied by Galileo but first utilised by Christiaan Huygens in 1656, where swinging of the pendulum would help the escapement to be put in place. Early clocks were not as accurate as sundials, where they often had to be rewound. Equation clocks, which tried to adjust for variation in ticking mechanical clocks, were also created to adjust for the variation in time among mechanical clocks. These clocks would try to measure solar time throughout the day rather than only during daylight hours. These equation clocks would try to self-adjust as ticking mechanical clocks often slowed down, where the equation clocks could then be used to reset the mechanical clocks.<ref>For more on pendulums and mechanical clocks, see: Dohrn-van Rossum, G. (1996). <i>History of the hour: clocks and modern temporal orders</i>. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.</ref>

By the 16th century, clocks were becoming more common. Now, individuals wanted to be able to better keep time as they moved about their day rather than have to look up or hear the clocktower ring out. Small versions of mechanical clocks were made that used miniature wheels and gears to tick and keep time, which were the first watches. Watches were often carried inside a coat pocket because the elements could foul or corrode the devices in the watch. Some wristwatches were worn, mostly by women, but these were often avoided due to the harm they might be exposed to.<ref>For more on the history of watches, see: Bruton, E., & Chartwell Books. (2004). <i>The history of clocks and watches</i>. Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books, Inc. </ref>