Around 1214, the mechanical clock began to emerge in Europe, marking a significant advancement in timekeeping technology. This innovation allowed for more precise measurement of time, which was crucial for various aspects of daily life and commerce. The first mechanical clocks were installed in church towers, influencing the rhythm of life in towns and cities across Europe.

The advent of the mechanical clock inspired poets to explore themes of time and mortality in their works. The precise measurement of time became a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life, as seen in the poetry of John Donne and other metaphysical poets who grappled with existential questions.