The Ottoman Empire was an empire known for many developments. Founded in July 1299, the empire lasted until 1923, over six hundred years (“Ottoman Empire”). Over the course of these six hundred years of history, developments have occurred in: one of the earliest known examples of a clock, used to measure time in minutes, created by Meshur Sheyh Ded in 1702; the telegraph personally tested by Sultan Abdulmecid in 1847; and the production of ceramics, silks and carpets, jewelry, weapons and armor, and the famous mosque representing the Ottoman Empire's major contribution to the world of art (“Ottoman Empire”). One of the most distinctive aspects of the empire was the state organization, religious traditions, and how both influenced each other from the development until the decline of the empire. The government of the Ottoman Empire was an absolute monarchy for most of the empire's citizens. period of time. Over the past fifty years, government changes have occurred frequently, due to decline and lack of good leadership. The state was organized into two parts; military and civil administration, where the sultan, otherwise known as the caliphate, held the highest position in the state. Although the sultan had complete and absolute control over the empire, for the most part he did not exercise it, usually leaving the job to the grand vizier who would guide and carry out the reforms and laws requested by the sultan (“Ottoman Empire”). Many of the sultans were men with no skills, training, or experience in leading an empire (Chambers). Although some leaders were incompetent and perhaps even slightly "flawed", there were many great leaders of the Ottoman Empire, such as Suleyman who was known as “The Magnificent” and brought the empire...... to the center of the paper. .....the connection of the Empire, being between the eastern and western worlds, made it the center of interactions and created commercial exchanges and a flourishing economy for the state (“Ottoman Empire”). The military institution was compared to the Roman Empire in similar views due to its success, size and power. The empire's army was one of the first to use muskets and cannons and maintained an elite guard, known as the Janissaries, until it began to decline in the mid-nineteenth century ("Ottoman Century"). Wikipedia. Np, nd Web. 18 March 2014. Chambers, Richard L. “History of the Ottoman Empire: Decline and Fall.” Turkey travel guide. The University of Chicago, n.d. Web. March 18, 2014. Spielvogel, Jackson J. “Muslim Empires: The Ottoman Empire.” Glencoe World History New York, NY: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2005. Print.