A history of time in computers

Summary: The video discusses the evolution of timekeeping methods, starting from ancient techniques like sundials and water clocks, to the creation of mechanical and pendulum clocks. It explores advancements such as Greenwich Mean Time, time zones, quartz clocks, and atomic clocks, leading to the development of GPS satellites and synchronization systems like the Network Time Protocol (NTP) for accurate global timekeeping.

Keypoints:

Early methods of timekeeping included sundials and star tracking.

Water clocks emerged in 400 BC, measuring time through flowing water.

Mechanical clocks introduced in the 13th century allowed for hours and minutes.

Pendulum clocks, created in 1656, improved accuracy significantly.

Greenwich Mean Time was established in 1847 for train scheduling.

1884 marked the creation of time zones at the international prime meridian conference.

Quartz clocks, developed in 1927, provided high accuracy through consistent vibrations of quartz crystals.

Atomic clocks, introduced in 1967, offered unparalleled precision with nanosecond accuracy.

GPS satellites use atomic clocks to deliver precise time signals globally.

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) allows computers to synchronize time over the internet with millisecond accuracy.

Precision Time Protocol (PTP) enhances accuracy to nanoseconds for even better time synchronization.