Timekeeping in the Electronic Century
Timekeeping in the Electronic Century
Timekeeping in the Electronic Century
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Pulsar “Time Computer” brochure, about 1972.<br />
The ruby-colored "time screen" afforded <strong>the</strong> user a "space-capsule view" of <strong>the</strong> "readout."<br />
The display was composed of light-emitt<strong>in</strong>g diodes (LEDs) that consumed so much<br />
power that <strong>the</strong> time could not be displayed cont<strong>in</strong>uously. To read <strong>the</strong> watch, <strong>the</strong> wearer<br />
would push <strong>the</strong> "command button" to illum<strong>in</strong>ate <strong>the</strong> time. Press<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> button briefly<br />
would display <strong>the</strong> hour and m<strong>in</strong>ute. Hold<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> button down would show <strong>the</strong> seconds.<br />
For <strong>the</strong>se huge <strong>in</strong>conveniences, Pulsar’s proud owner got <strong>the</strong> most accurate time <strong>the</strong>n<br />
available <strong>in</strong> a quartz wristwatch. The new technology <strong>in</strong>side made <strong>the</strong> watch accurate to<br />
with<strong>in</strong> a m<strong>in</strong>ute a year, compared to fifteen seconds a day for <strong>the</strong> best mechanical watch. 6<br />
The Pulsar wasn’t <strong>the</strong> first electronic quartz wristwatch. The Japanese had come<br />
out with <strong>the</strong>ir version earlier than Hamilton, <strong>in</strong> late 1969.<br />
____________________<br />
Bletchley talk June 2004<br />
page 4
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