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Atomic Clock Turns 50

Posted by Zonk on from the happy-birthday dept.

karvind writes "BBC has an interesting story on the 50th birthday of atomic clocks. The first accurate caesium atomic clock was developed at the NPL in 1955 by Dr Louis Essen. And after 5 decades In September the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) used computer chip fabrication techniques to make a small atomic clock. The final development should see a battery-operated system about the size of a sugar lump. NIST also has a page on history of atomic clocks"

12 of 482 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah... by eurleif · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's a good thing we had atomic clocks so we could be sure it was really 50 years!

  2. Units of measure by Kirkoff · · Score: 3, Funny

    Lump of sugar has to be the oddest comparison ever...

    --
    There are exactly 42,935,718 letter sized sheets in a square mile.
  3. Time by maelstrom · · Score: 3, Funny

    I used to be obsessed with accurate clocks, still am for my servers, but after awhile its all relative anyway ;)

    --
    The more you know, the less you understand.
  4. Actually...... by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 3, Funny

    The atomic clock turned 49.9999999999999999999999 today!

    Congratulations ;)

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  5. It's been 50 years... by Alien+Venom · · Score: 2, Funny

    and we still don't have time travel. What a shame.

  6. They got it all wrong! by Psionicist · · Score: 5, Funny

    That article is not precise! The atomic clock is 50.00000100121412235901293409234 years old as I'm writing this.

  7. can you recall the scene ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Four scientists, as they flip the switch on their new invention ...

    #1: Gee, Ed, it looks like it works ...
    #2: Bob, you're right! It's counting! We did it!
    #1: It seems to be right on, let's fire up the chronotaph ...
    #3: Already there, Bob, I have a solid register, five-nines. I started the paper before you hit the button.
    #1: Good thinking, Stan. This is one for the record books!
    #2: This is a clock for your ass, Ed! I guess we should set it now.
    #4: Okay guys (looks at watch) what have you got? I'm showing a quarter past two.

  8. Now we should all thank Dave Mills... by e9th · · Score: 3, Funny

    because without NTP, we might as well be using sundials.

  9. I guess this is a good time to mention... by Ann+Elk · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...the worlds first atomic wristwatch.

  10. Atomic Clock Turns 50 by citking · · Score: 3, Funny
    Atomic Clock Turns 50

    Uh huh, that's what it wants us to think....

    --
    "This food is problematic."
  11. Re:It'll be interesting when.... by Webmoth · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I believe time travels slower at the equator than at the polls."

    I don't know about that. When I was standing in line at the polls back in November, time seemed to drag on. Now, afterwards, it's dragging on even longer while we here in Washington State are still wondering who our governor is.

    What's that? You meant poles? My mistake.

    --
    Give me my freedom, and I'll take care of my own security, thank you.
  12. Re:Setting the clock initially by AFairlyNormalPerson · · Score: 3, Funny

    "How did they figure out how to set the clock initially? Thanks." They killed Christ. You're welcome.