On Time: A History of Western Timekeeping

Ken Mondschein's book, On Time, explores the history of timekeeping and its impact on humanity, arguing that without clocks, the modern world would not exist. From astronomical timekeeping to quartz watches, greater precision and accuracy have had profound effects on society, leading to the quest for automation and the creation of the modern scientific mindset.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2020
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

Since the Middle Ages, Western culture has been captivated by the idea of regulating society through the precise and accurate measurement of time. In his book, On Time, Ken Mondschein delves into the interconnected development of concepts and technologies related to timekeeping and human thought. Mondschein argues that without clocks, the modern world as we know it would not exist. From the astronomical timekeeping of ancient civilizations to the tower clocks of the Middle Ages, the quartz watch, and the atomic clock, increasing precision and accuracy have had profound effects on human society. This pursuit of automation, which gave rise to the Gregorian calendar, the factory clock, and the near-disastrous Y2K bug, has led to significant social repercussions and shaped the modern scientific mindset.

Surveying the evolution of the clock from prehistory to the twenty-first century, Mondschein explains how the technology and philosophy behind Western timekeeping regimes came to dominate the world. On Time is a narrative that explores the contributions of thinkers, philosophers, and scientists, as well as the countless decisions that continue to shape our daily lives.

Weight: 374g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421438276