Hourglass What is it and How Does it Work“! If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably seen hourglasses before and thought to yourself ” That’s a cool-looking sand timer, but how does it actually work?” Well, today we’re here to answer that question for you.
An hourglass is a timekeeping device that uses the flow of sand to measure a specific amount of time. It’s essentially a glass container with two bulbs, one above the other, that are separated by a narrow neck.
The top bulb is filled with sand, and as the sand flows through the neck and into the bottom bulb, it measures a specific amount of time.
Pretty simple, right? But what makes it different from other timekeeping devices? Well, hourglasses have a certain charm and nostalgia to them that digital timers and watches just can’t replicate. Plus, you can’t flip a digital timer over to reset it!
So, whether you’re using it to time your morning coffee or to keep track of how long you’ve been working on a project, an hourglass is a unique and charming way to measure time. And who knows, it might even inspire you to put down your phone and enjoy the present moment a little more.
What is the sand clock?
The sand clock is a mechanical or handmade device that works to measure short-term, as the sand begins to be superior to the lower bulb or container until all sand is removed. This watch only needs the power of gravity for its work.
However, because the amount of time of measurement is no longer used and the bracelet clock (which allows us to know the right time) and the stopwatch (which is the exact time meant between the beginning and the end.
Allow a given event). It is very common now that the sand clock is as a decorative article or as a toy for children.
How long can you measure?
When you can measure the sand clock, the size of its containers varies according to the width of the neck where the sand falls, the amount of sand, and its quality. This is why you can find watches that measure seconds to hours, days, months, and years.
Who and where was the first sand watch?
Who invented it and where he was invented are two questions that remain without answering because no record is found where I believe and who I believe. However, it is believed that it was introduced in the seventh century by a monk named Late Prano in Europe who served in the Cathedral of the French Charter.
Unlike the water clock, it is believed that the sand clock began in medieval Europe. This theory is based on the fact that the previously written records were mostly the Batcoa notebook of European ships. It was famous in the fourteenth century.
History
Sand watches were very famous on ships because they were the most reliable time measurement in the sea. Unlike its predecessor, clepsydra, the movement of the ship did not affect the sand clock. This allowed time to measure more accurately.
clepsydra, because it was at risk of thickening, was replaced by a sand clock, which, on the contrary, uses granted material and does not freeze it and allow me to measure time without difficulty – At that time the sailors were quite fixed by the sand clock, and it helped them determine their length from a certain precision location to the west.
Despite its use on the high seas, the sand clock also found a place on the soil. Since mechanical watches became commonplace because they indicated some events, especially religious services, the need to maintain the concept of time was also real.
Due to this need, watches are becoming increasingly popular. In addition, their easy manufacturing and their content helped to become popular at a low cost. Since its preparation became very common, very common and practical use began.
These children of sands, sands, were very common to see in churches, homes, and workplaces to measure sermons, cooking times, and intervals.
After 1500 sand clock became so popular and the development of the mechanical clock was not so common that it became more precise, smaller, and cheap. However, it was still used not as a time meter in some places but as a decorative thing for its specific design.
The mechanism, how is it developed?
The sand clock contains two glass containers called receptors or bulbs, which work as a regulator for the fall of sand at the bottom.
Time is measured by the one that takes the sand from one reception to another. The duration depends on the clock size, the amount of sand, and the quality. There is a trend in these watches that allow you to invest (turn them) and resume time counting.
When all the sand goes from one container to another, the measurement of time is gone and you can see how the entire sand of the upper bulb has gone into the lower bulb and forms the mountain. If you want to continue the time measuring you will have to go around the sand clock to resume.
How does a sand watch work?
Sand clock operation is really easy:
You have to turn so that all sand is completely accumulated in the same reception, it is made vertically.
Then, once the whole sand comes to the same reception, you can turn back to the time of time and let the sand fall from the tight neck that unites two glass containers.
Some parts of the hourglass clock
Receipticals or bulbs: These containers can be made of glasses, acrylic, plastic, or other substances that are resistant and transparent to find out that each reception is emptied. Its task is to store sand, which will go from one container to another.
Sand: This is the material that is traditionally used to measure time. So they are called sand watches and not otherwise. You can also use marble powder or egg cucumber powder.
Support: This is the structure that supports the bulb where the sand and the material that contains it can be made of wood, plastic, glasses, metal, or other materials that are helped and protect the clock in the form of a hit. There is a minimum resistance for. His job is to hold containers that store sand.
The largest watches of sand in the world
There are three sand watches in the world at this time:
The first is the wheels of the time found in Budapest. Its measure is 8 meters and has a one-year travel time, located in the plaza de las heroes and weighs 60,000 kg
The second is the sand museum’s sand clock in the Japanese city of Nima. It is 6 meters and has a one-year travel time.
Third, in July 2008, the Russian city of Moscow began working in Red Square. The watch’s height is 11.90 meters and weighs 40 tonnes. In addition, instead of sand, it has 180,000 silver balls that work as sand.
What are the most famous watches of sand?
The most famous watches include the twelve-hour watch of France’s campaign and the sand watches of Enrique VIII created by the artist Holbein in the 16th century. In addition, today’s oldest sand clock is located in the British Museum of London.
How to make a sand watch?
Making a sand watch, also known as an hourglass, is a fun and easy project that can be completed in a few simple steps. Here’s how to make your own:
Materials:
- Two glass bulbs or bottles
- Silicone sealant or glue
- Sand or fine-grain salt
- Drill or glass cutter
- Small funnel
Instructions:
- Start by drilling a small hole in the bottom of one of the glass bulbs or bottles. The hole should be slightly smaller than the width of the narrow neck that will connect the two bulbs.
- Use silicone sealant or glue to seal the hole in the bottom of the bulb or bottle. Allow the sealant or glue to dry completely.
- Once the sealant or glue is dry, use a small funnel to fill the bottom bulb or bottle with sand or fine-grain salt. The amount of sand or salt will depend on the size of your hourglass and how long you want it to measure.
- Once the bottom bulb or bottle is filled with sand or salt, use silicone sealant or glue to seal the top of the bottom bulb or bottle. Allow the sealant or glue to dry completely.
- Repeat the process with the second glass bulb or bottle.
- Once the second bulb or bottle is filled with sand or salt and sealed, use the silicone sealant or glue to attach the two bulbs or bottles together. Make sure they are aligned and sealed properly.
- Allow the sealant or glue to dry completely before flipping the hourglass over to use it.
Your sand watch is now ready to use! You can experiment with different colors and types of sand, or even add some decorations or engraving to make it look more unique.
