The everyday importance of chronometry is apparent on two levels in particular in early modern Europe. First, from the late Middle Ages, a precise measurement of the time of day was becoming relevant to ever more people. It can thus be seen that first the hour and then (from the 17th century) the minute was registering in popular consciousness, and during the 18th century, the measurement of seconds was also becoming more frequent in the context of certain activities (Time 3.5.).