Clocks, the mere time telling pieces, have evolved from sundials to digital modern clocks. The clock makers use eccentric new styles and designs to make these modern clocks we love to decorate our rooms with. Clocks today have become an important room accessory rather than mere time tellers.
Modern clocks can be classified into these broad groups;
- Digital clocks—these are the most commonly used clocks. Instead of indicating the time with hands like conventional clocks, the digital clocks display time making use of digits. Due to their convenience in use, they are the most popular ones, especially among young kids. Available in various different designs, digital clocks are battery operated and often have glowing displays.
- Speaking clocks—these not only display time but tell it verbally too. Also known as auditory time pieces, these clocks are specially designed for blind people or people with impaired eyesight.
- Analog clocks—these are similar to the conventional and traditional clocks we all have in our homes. A round shaped clock with 24 hour interface and three hands for hour and seconds is a typical example of an analog clock. However, modern analog clocks vary in shapes and designs, some even have different interface too.
- Apart from these, one of the most fascinating types of modern clocks is an atomic clock. It works by energy changes in atoms. Their function is based on micro-waves. They are regulated by satellites and give the most precise time with respect to the Greenwich Mean Time. Another evolved concept of the atomic clock is a GPS regulated clock. These are called radio controlled clocks and they receive their time from the atomic clock.
- Online clock—online clocks run using JavaScript and the time of entire web is based on these clocks.
Although there are several other modern clocks, the above explained categories are the basic ones in which all others fall.