Time has always been an obsession for most. While for some there's not enough, others don't know what to do with it. And depending on the circumstances, it might go by really fast or it might be boringly slow. For some people, every second is gold. But for others, the sooner they fall behind, the more of it they'll have to catch up later.
But yes, we all need to measure it!
There is an infinite variety of ways to do so, from binary code to grains of sand to numbers and letters. But Berlin's Mengenlehreuhr claims to be the first timepiece that measures our slow journey through this life in nothing more than colours, light and set theory.
Designed like a retro-futuristic piece, the clock was first installed in Berlin in 1975 by inventor Dieter Binninger. It consists of 24 lights that blink on and off in patterns that measure a 24-hour cycle for those who can decipher the code. Some of the lights represent five-hour units, while others represent one-hour units, and still others denote minutes and seconds. If added correctly, one can decipher the time.
I'm afraid I haven't been able to figure out how to read it, but I enjoy the courtship dance of the different shades of orange and yellow.
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"Idealpassage" in Berlin takes you on a historic walk - this passage reveals a complex from a century ago that served as a model for 'social housing'...
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"Oxfam Schöneberg" in Berlin deals in second-hand books! It offers a surprisingly interesting variety of international books...
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"Troika" is a nice little bookshop among the Prenzlauer Berg bars and restaurants. It's a little nostalgic treasure - you're lucky if you find it open!
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"Unterwegs" is a magnificent antiquarian bookstore specialised in architecture, photography, Berlin-Brandenburg and travel. Very aesthetically pleasing!
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"Mauerpark’s Books" in Berlin is perfect for old book lovers - and people who like bargaining for the best price!
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"a Livraria" in Berlin gives the street it's one a nice Latin American vibe. An essential shop for Portuguese and Italian language readers in the city...
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"Prior & Mumpitz" in Berlin is a tiny bookstore next to a ping pong table area specialized in children books - they even have a children's book club!
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"Moby Dick" in East Berlin makes the street it's on complete: apart from everything else, you can also eat & drink intellectually at this book store!
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"Antiquariat Wegner" in Berlin is an antiquarian bookstore that's just a paradise for German-speaking books. I admire it profoundly.
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"Tucholsky-Buchhandlung' in Berlin offers general literature for very reasonable prices. Clients coming to pick up their pre-ordered loves warms my heart!
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"Winterfeldt Schokoladen" in Berlin offers not only great coffee but also chocolates & some sweet treats! My choice is usually the shamanic chilli cacao...
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