Every night I'm told what to do, and each morning I do what I'm told. But I still don't escape your scold. What am I?

The object described in the riddle is an alarm clock. Each night, a person sets the desired wake-up time, effectively "telling" the clock what to do. When morning arrives, the alarm clock dutifully performs its task, emitting a sound or light to rouse the sleeper. Despite its reliable service in adhering to its instructions, the alarm often receives a "scold" – a groan, a hit of the snooze button, or a general feeling of annoyance from the person it's waking, who might not be ready to face the day.

The concept of an alarm clock is far from new, with humans seeking ways to wake up at specific times for millennia. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks, developed ingenious methods like water clocks that could trigger a sound, like a whistle (Review) or dropping pebbles, at a predetermined hour to alert students or citizens. However, the first mechanical alarm clock, as we might recognize it, was invented in 1787 by American Levi Hutchins, though his only rang at 4 AM and wasn't adjustable. It wasn't until 1847 that Frenchman Antoine Redier patented the first adjustable mechanical alarm clock, allowing users to set their own desired wake-up times.

The evolution continued with the introduction of electric alarm clocks in the early 20th century, and later, the ubiquitous snooze button, which remarkably took nearly 200 years to be invented after the first mechanical alarm. Modern alarm clocks range from traditional mechanical bells, which use a mainspring and a hammer to strike bells, to digital versions that rely on electronic circuits and can offer features like radio, music, or even light simulation. Regardless of their design, these devices remain a constant, if sometimes unwelcome, part of our daily routines, ensuring we meet our schedules despite our natural inclination for more sleep.