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50 Things That Made the Modern Economy

Factual: Money

The stories of inventions, ideas and innovations which helped create the economic world

Tim Harford tells the fascinating stories of inventions, ideas and innovations which have helped create the economic world.

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50 Things That Made the Modern Economy: Clock

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18/02/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy, ClockSearch BBC

The clock was invented in 1656 and has become an essential part of the modern economy.

There’s no such thing as “the correct time”. But there is accurate timekeeping. And since its invention in 1656, the clock has become a vital part of the modern economy.

There’s no such thing as “the correct time”. Like the value of money, it’s a convention that derives its usefulness from the widespread acceptance of others. But there is such a thing as accurate timekeeping. That dates from 1656, and a Dutchman named Christiaan Huygens. In the centuries since, as Tim Harford explains, the clock has become utterly essential to almost every area of the modern economy.

Producer: Ben Crighton
Editors: Richard Knight and Richard Vadon

(Image: A wall clock. Credit: Shutterstock)

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