Mechanical Clock

A clock powered by water or gears that told time more accurately, sometimes using drums or bells to mark hours.

Invented in the Song Dynasty.

Helped people keep schedules for work, government, and daily life, and inspired future clock-making technology.

What: A clock powered by water or weights to track time accurately.

Who benefited: Scholars, astronomers, and monks who used it for scheduling and study.

When: Invented during the Tang Dynasty and refined in the Song (960–1279 CE).

Why it was important: It represented a major achievement in engineering and timekeeping.