How exactly is it that quartz crystal led to such a massive growth in our time-keeping ability?

554 views

Every video I see on some introduction to time-keeping history says things changed when quartz was discovered. I remember commercials for watches actually bragging in marketing campaigns about quartz time-keeping or whatever it is called. I don’t know what about quartz (is it an element) made it so important for keeping accurate time.

Also, I wasn’t sure what flair to put this under. I can add another if someone has a better suggestion.

In: 89

16 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Quartz crystals have the ability to vibrate at a very precise and stable frequency, which makes them ideal for use in timekeeping devices. The first quartz clock was developed in the late 1920s, and over the following decades, quartz technology was refined and improved upon, leading to the widespread adoption of quartz clocks and watches.

One of the key advantages of quartz timekeeping is that it is much more accurate than mechanical timekeeping, which relies on the movement of gears and springs. Quartz clocks can be accurate to within a few seconds per year, while mechanical clocks are typically accurate to within a few minutes per day.

In addition to their accuracy, quartz clocks and watches are also relatively inexpensive to produce and maintain, which has contributed to their widespread use. Today, quartz technology is used in a wide range of timekeeping devices, including wristwatches, wall clocks, and even some computers.

You are viewing 1 out of 16 answers, click here to view all answers.