WWW. It is said that, in October 1947, a certain D. W. wrote a treatise proposing that television sets should be used as timepieces. The correct time would be established and maintained by a reliable electronic broadcasting authority, thereby alleviating the anxiety experienced by certain individuals over the responsibility of constant timekeeping. Such television timepieces, he imagined, might eventually replace much if not all clockwork--in bars, homes, town squares, rail stations, etc. After a time, he thought, they might even replace pocket watches and wristwatches.

Photo: David Marc Fischer