In 1878, Sir Sandford Fleming (1827? 1915) developed the system of worldwide time zones that we still use today. He proposed that the world be divided into 24 time zones, each spaced 15 (fifteen degrees) of longitude apart (like 24 sections of an orange).

When were the time zones created?

On November 18, 1883, America's railroads began using a standard time system involving four time zones, Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific. Within each zone, all clocks were synchronized.

Why were time zones created and who created them?

The expansion of transport and communication during the 19th century created a need for a unified time-keeping system, and time zones were introduced. ... Before clocks were invented, people kept time using different instruments to observe the Sun's meridian passing at noon.