Who was the inventor of the earliest mechanical clocks?

The earliest mechanical clocks were invented by various inventors during different periods. The credit for the invention of the first mechanical clock is still a matter of debate among historians. However, there are a few notable inventors who made significant contributions to the development of mechanical clocks. One prominent figure in the history of mechanical clocks is Yi Xing, a Buddhist monk and mathematician from China. In the 8th century, Yi Xing created a water-driven mechanical clock that employed an escapement mechanism. This invention marked an important milestone in the evolution of mechanical timekeeping devices. Another notable inventor of mechanical clocks is Al-Jazari, an engineer and polymath from the Islamic Golden Age. In the 12th century, Al-Jazari designed and constructed a variety of innovative clocks, including astronomical clocks and water clocks. His groundbreaking work not only improved timekeeping accuracy but also introduced advanced mechanisms, such as gears and automata. Overall, the invention of the first mechanical clocks can be attributed to the collective efforts of inventors from different cultures and time periods, each contributing their unique ideas and innovations.