Planet Money The Day of Two Noons (Classic)
6 snips
May 10, 2023 Discover how the chaotic world of local time in 19th century America led to the establishment of standardized time zones. Before trains, towns had their own unique times, causing confusion and accidents. Learn about the key figures who championed this change, and the monumental switch that occurred on November 18, 1883. This transformation was not just about timekeeping— it reshaped travel, trade, and daily life, highlighting the railroads’ surprising role in creating the organized society we know today.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Loose Timekeeping
- Early 1800s timekeeping was much looser, with some watches lacking minute hands.
- People lived by the sun, and stagecoaches had flexible schedules, reflecting imprecise timekeeping.
Local Times
- As life sped up with technology, towns agreed on official local times based on a specific clock.
- However, numerous local times existed, creating discrepancies: 23 in Indiana, 38 in Michigan, and frequent changes.
William F. Allen
- William F. Allen, a railroad bureaucrat, managed the complex railroad time system.
- Described as having a nervous vibe and resembling an Episcopal preacher, he kept track of schedules and train-specific time zones.