Time for Christmas

Here is a wonderful seasonal take on time by Steven Appleby, a regular in The Guardian UK newspaper on Saturdays (this one appearing on 12th December 2010). Enjoy.

Quantum Time Travel (By Post)

A Letter in New Scientist, 4 December 2010:
This letter is a test of quantum time travel. I, in your past, am sending you, in my future, a message. When you print this, in my future, you will, by post selection, be sending me, in your past, a message telling me what to type when I have finished my cup of coffee. PS: It works.
(Andy Biddulph, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, UK)

World in a Hundred Objects Timepieces

The BBC's History of the World in 100 Objects included few mechanical devices but the need to measure time has meant that two did just that. They were Object 62, a Hebrew astrolabe, and Object 91, the ship's chronometer from HMS Beagle.