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http://oss.sgi.com/LDP/LDP/lfs/html/chapter06/net-tools.html

The original time ball systems incorporated link two separate balls on a single mast – one fixed at its highest point, and a mobile one positioned at the bottom. link Five minutes before the hour, the lower ball link would be raised by rope until it was touching the top ball. On the hour, the bottom ball would slowly begin to move downward and the ship captains would set their chronometers.

Finally Heuer didn't make full-blown mechanical chronographs for soccer timing you'll find fun link quartz timers though but it link did make mechanical wrist stopwatches for referees. For a brand that's got a link history as illustrious in making stopwatches as Kacey Musgraves does in making me cry it just makes sense.