Explore the historical origins of the Gregorian calendar and its irregularities. Learn about the discovery of the true length of the year and the invention of leap year. Discover the history of calendar reform, including a radical 13-month calendar design. Understand the challenges faced in implementing a 13-month calendar and the significance of the calendar in different cultures.
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Quick takeaways
The current calendar is a fusion of the Roman and Egyptian calendars, influenced by Caesar and Cleopatra's relationship.
Various attempts at calendar reform have been made throughout history, including a 13-month calendar proposed for increased efficiency and industrial planning.
Deep dives
The History of the Gregorian Calendar
The current calendar used worldwide is a combination of the Roman and Egyptian calendars, resulting from the influence of Caesar and Cleopatra's relationship. The Egyptians, known for their Nile River observations, discovered the year's true length and invented the leap year to align the calendar with the seasons.
Failed Attempts at Calendar Reform
There have been several attempts throughout history to reform the calendar for various reasons. After the French Revolution, France introduced a 10-day week and a new calendar named after great historical figures. Moses B. Cotsworth proposed a 13-month calendar with standardized 28-day months, desired for increased efficiency and industrial planning, but it did not gain widespread adoption.
George Eastman and the 13-Month Calendar
George Eastman, founder of Kodak, was a proponent of calendar reform and implemented a modified version of the 13-month calendar within Kodak from 1924 to 1989. It was designed for improved financial and production scheduling, but adoption beyond Kodak was limited due to the challenges of standardizing holidays and cultural customs.
A month is hardly a unit of measurement. It can start on any day of the week and last anywhere from 28 to 31 days. Sometimes a month is four weeks long, sometimes five, sometimes six. You have to buy … Continue reading →
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