“The Time Zones” explores the fascinating history and impact of standard time on globalization, international travel, and communication. Before the advent of time zones, communities operated on local solar time, which created chaos as technologies like the railroad demanded synchronized schedules. The book highlights the pivotal International Meridian Conference of 1884, where Greenwich was established as the Prime Meridian, laying the foundation for global time standardization.
The book progresses from ancient methods of time measurement to the adoption of standard time and international agreements. It examines controversies like daylight saving time and considers the effects of technology on our perception of time. By blending historical accounts, scientific explanations, and real-world examples, the book offers a narrative non-fiction approach to understanding how these seemingly arbitrary divisions of the globe underpin modern society.