Chronograph
A chronograph is a time keeping instrument that has at least one hand that can be stopped at will to measure an amount of elapsed time. Chronographs are more commonly known today as stopwatches. Today they come in two basic forms, mechanical and digital.
Mechanical stopwatches are powered by a spring mechanism that must be continuously wound, and operate at the control of two or more buttons. Pressing the buttons starts and stops the time tracking mechanism, displayed by second and minute hands, which can be reset to a starting position by pushing an additional button. For most purposes, mechanical chronographs are accurate enough, though anyone desiring a high degree of accuracy will use a digital stopwatch. Capable of displaying tenths, hundredths, even thousandths of seconds, and using the same extremely accurate and reliable oscillator found in quartz watches, digital chronographs are the most popular form of the chronograph today.
The first chronograph like instrument was developed in 1720 by an Englishman named Graham, who is today referred to as ‘the Father of the Chronograph’. His invention was basically a clock that could start and stop quickly to measure elapsed time during a specific event, and it was accurate within a sixteenth of a second. Although by today’s standards that is horribly inaccurate, it was marveled at in its day.
The first actual chronograph was made about a century later by a Frenchman named Rieussec. His clock had dots on it to measure the elapsed time, and was the first to bear the name ‘chronograph’. His invention used a pen to mark onto the dial itself an arc whose length could be used to measure how long the mechanism had operated for.
The Greek roots of the word ‘chronograph’ suggest that it actually means ‘time writing’, and since Rieussec’s invention was the only one to involve writing it is the only real chronograph. Chronographs today are more accurately described as stopwatches, in that they are capable of measuring elapsed time but do no recording of any sort. Although it is technically a misnomer, many people still refer to stopwatches as chronographs, and the names are for nearly all intents and purposes interchangeable.
Many wristwatches today have built in stopwatches of their own, of both digital and mechanical varieties. Analog wristwatches that have a built in mechanical stopwatch are simply referred to as chronographs, and usually carry a heftier price tag due to their complexity.
Chronograph related articles:
Classical Guitar Music
What do you know about classical guitar music? Not much? Well, you can always learn. Perhaps you own a classical guitar or have heard one played before, or simply want to learn how to play a new musical instrument.
It’s true that this type of ... Classical Musicians
It is rather easy to find classical musicians. It must be a tough life for all of these incredibly talented people. They train their whole lives to preserve an art, and they become a dime a dozen. Lets face it, brilliant classical musicians are about as h... Classical Piano
There is no other type of music that is as complicated or as beautiful as classical piano. To hear Beethoven’s Fur Elise live and in person is a joy that’s not even describable in words. A composer knows the only way to adequately show appreciation for a ... Clear Computer Case
Some people prefer a transparent computer case because they want to see the inside of their computer and how it functions. This could be helpful in repairs or in technical learning. Others just prefer the postmodern look and would rather look at a naked c... Clear Up Acne
Wow, is that a huge zit on your forehead? Don't you hate it when people go there? I mean come on, like you wouldn't already know if you have a whopping pimple on your face. It is after all, your face. Regardless, people tend to do this. I know I have enco...
more Pocket Links articles:
Portable Electric Heater
Portable electric heaters should be used sparingly, if at all for most people. This is because of several facts. First of all, the portable electric heaters use up a tremendous amount of energy. Take an 1800 watt portable electric heater – a fairly small ... Lice Treatment
Jeez, you’d think one would be embarrassed to rite about lice and lice treatment options from the point of view of one who had head lice once. But, hey, I was a kid when I got the creepy things; I was one of hundreds of kids who are subject to the epidem... Dyslexia Research
So much more is understood today about the condition of dyslexia than ever before. If you don’t know what dyslexia research is all about, then take comfort that it’s easy to find out. Know what it is, and what is being done to find out what causes it, so ... Hickory Chair
When you are looking for a comfortable chair to enjoy a nice afternoon on the porch consider purchasing a hickory chair. It not only adds a relaxing place for you to unwind, it’s beautiful to look at as well.
An American tree which has edible nut... Temporary Tattoo Designs
It is strange how big temporary tattoo designs have become. When I was a kid, I used to get all of my temporary tattoos from vending machines in the front of laundromats, restaurants, or grocery stores for a couple of quarters, but now they are every wher... |