A time ball is a now obsolete time signalling device. It consists of a large, painted wooden or metal ball that is dropped at a predetermined time, principally to enable navigators to verify their marine chronometers from their ships offshore. Accurate timekeeping is one means by which longitude can be determined at sea.
Read more about Time Ball: History, Time Balls Around The World
Famous quotes containing the words time and/or ball:
“Once I built a railroad, made it run,
Made it race against time ...
Now it’s done,
Buddy, can you spare a dime?”
—Yip Harburg (1898–1981)
“When Adam delved and Eve span,
Who was then the gentleman?”
—John Ball (hanged 1381)