Dials are uniformly calliberated radial analog meters which are used to display certain measure-ments along with the help of a needle or a pointer.

Dials are displays, and not controls. Thus they show the status of a specific measure and are not to be confused with knobs, as dials come with knobs in many exam-ples

Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English: instrument for telling time by the sun's shadow, presumably < Medieval Latin diālis daily ( Latin di ( ēs ) day + -ālis -al)

Sundials: The origin of the oldest display device.

Clockwork

The Inkdrop StopwatchChronograph Semikronograph

Dial Indicators Telephones/Telegraphs

Dials with control knobs

Telephones/Telegraphs

Display-only dials Dials with control knobsDials with stationary needle

Fuel Gauge

Pressure Gauge

Speedometer Weighing Scale

The engine is connected to the axle of the wheel with a gear. This trans-mission is connected to the speed-ometer with a rotational flexible cable.Speed of the wheel creates an eddy current which deflects the needle of the speedometer.

Weighing scales have spring scales inside them. Thus the spring deflects under the load, and that distance is shown on the meter.

Pendulum Clocks Spring Wound Clocks Quartz Clocks

Slot Machines Rickshaw Meters