People say the most important invention for mankind was the wheel. I think that’s untrue – I think the invention which changed mankind most of all is the clock. The wheel is the servant of mankind, but clocks control us.
Dr John C Taylor, an engineer, entrepreneur and one of the UK’s most prolific inventors including the mechanism for switching off kettles when the water boils and very many others in common use throughout the world stated the above.   
In the Museum of Edinburgh at the moment there is an exhibition called The Luxury of Time: Clocks from 1550-1750 featuring 25 of his collection showing the scientific and technical advancements from early clocks which required frequent winding up each day to the invention of the pendulum clock and the balance spring giving more accurate time to within a few seconds.  Some of the clocks and watches are very ornate like the one made for King James VI and I in the extra, and were the ultimate status symbol.  At the time it was difficult to accurately measure the time to make the clocks because sundials were not precise so an Inclining Dial which had various measurements would be used.  This one was made over 300 years ago.
John Taylor also made this chronophage and has since made another couple of “time eaters”

This is the 29 th of my sundials which can be seen in the tags