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PUBLICATIONS

The Evolution of Time Measurement, Part 2 - Quartz Clocks

Published

Author(s)

Michael A. Lombardi

Abstract

A historical article about the origins and the development of quartz clocks and oscillators (Part II of a IV-part series). It describes the discovery of piezoelectricity, the development of the first quartz oscillators, how quartz oscillators were instrumental to the growth of the radio industry by becoming early standards for frequency measurements. It also covers the use of synthetic quartz, the limitations of quartz timekeeping, and the development of the quartz wristwatch.
Citation
IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Magazine
Volume
14
Pub Type
Journals

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

clocks, frequency, piezoelectricy, quartz, time
Physics

Citation

Lombardi, M. (2011), The Evolution of Time Measurement, Part 2 - Quartz Clocks, IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Magazine, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=908250 (Accessed October 17, 2025)

Issues

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Created October 1, 2011, Updated February 19, 2017
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