Horology, or Dyalling

Title

Horology, or Dyalling

Description

Illustration of the art of watchmaking and various ways of measuring time. From "The Gentleman's Recreation".

ca. 1686

Artist

Cox, Blome

Historical Description

In order to successfully master a craft, even in the Middle Ages not only talent and appropriate skills were required, but also a solid education. The knowledge required to practice the craft was usually imparted in the workshops. Apprentices learned from masters and journeymen who had already mastered the craft by imitating the experienced craftsmen and being corrected by them at the same time. The knowledge imparted in this way is mostly embodied and sometimes tacit knowledge that is difficult or impossible to write down. Craftsmen also exchanged knowledge while traveling or through voluntary and forced (labor) migration. Accordingly, innovation also took place through direct oral exchange and was passed on in the workshops. This system of knowledge transmission did not require writing and remained predominantly oral, although craftsmen used writing both in the workshop, for example for bookkeeping, and in the administration of guilds and in the city council.