Time zones usa map update#

His idea was to divide the world into 24 time zones that were each 15 degrees of longitude apart. Sir Sanford Fleming, a Canadian engineer, was the first person to propose the use of worldwide time zones back in 1878. However, with the advent and popularization of railroads as a method of traveling quickly across long distances, this soon began to change. This means that passengers disembarking the train were forced to set their clocks back one hour and then do the same in reverse upon returning to Paris. even though the journey took two full hours. and arrive to LeMans (120 miles west) at 2 p.m. Upon arriving to a new location, people would either have to locate a town clock or seek out someone who worked in the business of resetting personal clocks.įor example, a train would depart from Paris at 1 p.m. Over time, the tower began to be adorned with mechanical moving figures that would delight visitors.Īlthough these clock towers existed in some cities, the local time was not always obvious. Later, smaller bells were added to mark quarter hours. These clock towers were constructed to display local time and provide sound using large cast iron bells to mark each passing hour. Numerous clock towers were constructed throughout the world, such as the famous Zytglogge Tower (Time Bell) in Bern, Switzerland. In fact, there were over 300 local times throughout the United States during this time.

Time zones usa map update#

This meant that if you traveled from one town to another, you would likely have to update your personal watch upon arrival. Before the late 1800s, it was commonplace for individual towns to specify a local time that citizens would then try to replicate on their personal watches or clocks.