Indicators of fluid flowing have been used ever since man began using liquids for his own purposes. The mill owner would use a calibrated measure to check the height of his millpond and hence the amount of water/power available. In more recent times petrol pumps used to be manufactured with a rotating paddle in a sight glass dome showing that you were actually getting petrol as you were being served. Often the use of a flowmeter is an over-kill as all that is required is a quick check that the system is working and fluid is flowing