This text discusses the concept of noon sundials, specifically focusing on their use in calibrating mechanical clocks. The author highlights the design and functionality of the sundials, explaining how they marked time once a day at local solar noon. The presence of an analemma on the sundials enabled calibration of the mechanical clocks in the church tower. The text also mentions the historical significance of noon sundials and their role in confirming clockmaker accuracy. Additionally, it discusses the manufacturing and advertising aspects of noon sundials. The article concludes by providing instructions for observing and adjusting the noon dials in modern times, taking into account daylight savings time and time zone variations.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noon sundials used to calibrate mechanical clocks | From manual calibration to automated calibration | Mechanical clocks are automatically calibrated using advanced technology | Efficiency and accuracy in timekeeping |
| Noon sundials served as advertising for clockmakers | From sundials as advertising to digital advertising | Clockmakers use digital platforms for advertising | Digitization of advertising and marketing |
| Standardized time zones affect solar noon accuracy | From reliance on time zones for solar noon to precise solar noon tracking | Solar noon is accurately tracked regardless of time zones | Improvement in timekeeping precision |
| Telegraph and other technologies made solar calibration unnecessary | From reliance on manual calibration to technological calibration | Mechanical clocks are calibrated through advanced technological systems | Technological advancements in timekeeping |
| Daylight Savings Time affects solar noon correction | From manual correction for Daylight Savings Time to automated correction | Daylight Savings Time is automatically accounted for in timekeeping | Automation in timekeeping adjustments |