Nature & Environment

The Cool Discovery Of Digital Sundial After Thousands Of Years

Elaine Hannah
First Posted: Dec 06, 2016 03:49 AM EST

In ancient times, people have been using the Sun to tell time known as "sundial." After thousands of years, a French engineer named Mojoptix created a 3D-printed sundial or also called as "digital sundial."

The digital sundial displays the time digitally and casting numbers into its own shadow. It uses the Sun as the backlight for a series of analog pixels that are calibrated to precise angles. It exhibits the time in "80s-style digital style number."

This digital sundial is a clock that tells the current time that has numerals shaped by the sunlight striking it. It is passive and contains no moving parts and uses no electricity. The digital display alters, depending on the visibility and advances of the Sun. So, this means it does not work at night. It is mostly accurate between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It also tells the time in 20-minute intervals.

Science Alert reports that in 1994, the discovery of the digital-style sundial was made beside the Mojoptix's version. On the other hand, this version does not have the "80s display" font or the same retro sundial plate to cast their shadow on. This was patented by a team of investors from the U.S. and Germany.

Meanwhile, Mojoptix's version has this "80s-style digital style number." Currently, people can avail of the Mojoptix's ready-made version on the Etsy store. People can also 3D print it at home. Just follow the open-source instructions and the tutorial video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrsje5It_UU.

It is an environmental-friendly clock. About 3,600 years ago, people have been using the sundial to tell time. Now, people can have this digital sundial just right at their home. It is such a cool upgrade. 

See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone

More on SCIENCEwr