Description
Book SynopsisThis first comprehensive, scholarly history of timekeeping in America studies the transition from local to national timekeeping, a process that led to Standard Time—the worldwide system of timekeeping by which we all live. The book describes the contributions of the railroad industry, university astronomers, clockmakers, and civil and electrical engineers.
Trade Review"Excellent historical account . . . the book tells a fascinating story . . . Readers of
Selling the True Time are treated to a wealth of novel historical detail, which makes the book an invaluable source of material for any scholar interested in the role plyed by the nineteenth-century United States in the development of globally constituted standard time." --
Enterprise & Society"
Selling the True Time is a useful addition to the works documenting the technical, social, and political aspects of timekeeping in the nineteenth century. . . . Bartky provides an interesting perspective. . . . Overall
Selling the True Time merits addition to a collection on the elusive but fascinating topic of time." --
Canadian Journal of History"For those who take recognized standards, such as time, for granted, this book has much to offer in ferreting out a rather obscure history and presenting it in a dispassionate form. . . . Bartky's account is entertaining and luxurious with detail." --
Technology and Culture"Bartky has added depth to a seemingly familiar story." --
American Historical ReviewTable of ContentsPreface Introduction Part I. Employing Time (1801-1856) 1. True time and place 2. Running on time 3. Telegraphing time, making history Part II. Dispensing Local Time (1845-1875) 4. Introducing city time 5. Antebellum observatory time services 6. Lobbying for time and new technologies Part III. Promoting a National View of Time (1869-1881) 7. Abbe's Road: uniform time 8. Shaping a national time circuit 9. Gauging time accurately Part IV. Conflict without Resolution (1879-1884) 10. Clashing over time bills 11. Inventing standard railway time 12. A failure in time Part V. Emerging American Technologies (1880-1889) 13. New companies, old business 14. Two instrument-makers Part VI. Finished and Unfinished Business (1888-1903) 15. The time peddlers 16. A severe blow to the progress of science Epilogue, Appendix Notes Index.
