The London-Bath time difference
Stories from Physics
for 11-14
14-16
In the 1850s, the expansion of the rail network emphasised differences in local times across the UK. For example, it was noted that London time (used at all stations) was 11 minutes ahead of Bath and Bristol and 14 minutes ahead of Exeter. A curious solution to this problem was developed in Exeter: the dial of the clock at St John’s Church was fitted with a silver minute hand to display railway time, and a gilt minute hand to show local time.
References
N. Thrift, The Making of a Capitalist Time Consciousness, In J. Hassard (Ed.), The Sociology of Time, New York, NY, St, Martin’s Press, 1990, 105-129, p. 126
