In 1510, German locksmith Peter Henlein created some of the earliest portable spring-driven clocks, which were precursors to modern pocket watches. These innovative timepieces represented a significant advancement in horology, making timekeeping more accessible and practical for everyday use. Henlein's work laid the groundwork for the evolution of portable clocks, influencing both technology and the way people organized their daily lives.

The invention of portable spring-driven clocks in 1510 allowed individuals to become more aware of time, influencing Elizabethan poetry's focus on mortality and the fleeting nature of life. Poets like John Donne and Robert Herrick utilized these themes in their explorations of love and time.