Klokker

Klokker is the Norwegian word for clocks and, in some contexts, bells. The term can refer to timekeeping devices such as clocks and watches, as well as bells used to signal hours or events in churches, schools, and town squares. Modern klokker include both mechanical and electronic timepieces.

Timekeeping devices evolved from sundials and water clocks to mechanical clocks in medieval Europe. Early clocks were weight-driven and often mounted in towers or monasteries. The introduction of the pendulum in the 17th century greatly increased accuracy. In the 19th and 20th centuries, widespread industrial production and standardization improved reliability and availability. Since the late 20th century, quartz and, more recently, atomic time standards have shaped modern precision.

Common types of klokker include wall clocks, mantel clocks, longcase (grandfather) clocks, pocket watches, and wristwatches. Digital clocks display numerals electronically. In public settings, tower clocks and church bells provide audible time signals and ceremonial cues.

Clocks operate using a few core mechanisms: mechanical clocks use gears and an escapement driven by a wound spring or descending weights; a pendulum or balance wheel regulates motion. Quartz clocks rely on a quartz crystal oscillator powered by a battery, offering high accuracy. Atomic clocks use electronic transitions in atoms and serve as the basis for international time standards.

Global time is coordinated by Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which uses atomic clocks as its reference. Individual clocks may synchronize via radio signals, GPS, or internet time servers to maintain consistency across regions.