History of Time Flies - Understanding Time Zones by Obinna Ekezie

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Time Flies - Understanding Time Zones by Obinna Ekezie

Created by: Administrator, Last modification: 23 Jan 2014 (20:24 UTC) by Administrator

By Obinna Ekezie.

 

Time Flies: Understanding Time Zones

A long time ago, people kept track of time based on where the sun was positioned in the sky. While this is still done to an extent, it is not as exact as it was back then. Until around 100 years ago when it would be a certain time in one place, just one state over the time could be as much as 30 minutes later or earlier depending on the position of the sun. This was okay before people started having to coordinate with people in other places for travel or other activities. Railroads and identifying what times trains would arrive and leave became hard to do. People knew that changes had to be made so time zones were created.

The Invention of Time Zones

In 1878, Sanford Fleming created a plan to divide the world up in different time zones. Using a globe, he separated the world up into 24 different sections that he measured out to cover 15 degrees longitude. Each zone would be an hour apart from the time zones next to it and reflect the 24 hours it takes for the earth to complete a rotation. This method would get it close to the time most people used locally but also make it more universally precise. The United States was divided up into four zones and the names Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific were assigned to each section.

The Use of Time Zones

Years before cars, trains, and planes came around, people traveled much slower. While walking from one city to the next or even riding a horse, the time difference was barely noticeable. It wasn't until the invention of the train that time zones were needed more than ever. There couldn't be a set time for the entire country, or 8:00pm for New York could be in the middle of the night, while 8:00pm for California could be right after dinner. With a standard time for each train stop, American railroad companies could easily schedule arrivals and departures. This made is possible for trains to arrive on time and people to buy their tickets for exactly when they needed without any confusion. It wasn't until 1918 that the Standard Time Act was passed and was down to the exact minute for the entire country and not just a town's guess of the suns position.

Universal Time

In 1884 countries decided to embrace time zones and they chose the local time in Greenwich, England as their standard time. Most maps and charts had already been using Greenwich as a medium for the time, so it was easiest to use this one, instead of the one created by Sanford Fleming. By 1972, all major countries used Greenwich Mean Time to set their clocks to. In 1935, Universal Time replaced Greenwich Mean Time as a more accurate description of what it actually means.

Daylight Savings

Two times a year, almost everyone changes their clocks by one hour. In the fall, the clock is turned back one hour, while in the spring it is turned ahead an hour. In 1784 Benjamin Franklin and two other men, George Hudson and William Willett, brought up the idea to help save energy. During World War Two, Germany began implementing turning back their clocks to help save money on burning coal. The United States adopted this idea and it is now called daylight savings. The entire concept behind daylight savings is the idea of using as much sun as possible so people will use less electricity. Not all states honor daylight savings, such as Hawaii who is close enough to the equator that the sun is evenly dispersed all year round.

Here are additional resources to help you learn more about time zones, daylight savings, and the beginning of time tracking.

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