Time Gentlemen Please - a history of the measurement of time.
Barry Hamblin
- Region:
- South West
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Antiquarian
- Fee:
- Paid: £60 plus travel expenses (30p/mile)
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 22nd February 2024
- Tagged:
- Amusing | Antiques | Archaeology | Astronomy
Our measurement of time is based on two astronomical events:
- the orbit of the Earth around the Sun defines the year, and
- the spin of the Earth about its North/South axis defines the day.
Our calender was initially developed by the Romans and has a fascinating history. It was initially a lunar calender but developed into a solar calender. However, it has been shown that the lunar agricultural calenders used to indicate the best times to plant specific crops etc really do work and I find it fascinating.
Our day is divided in two lots of twelve hours with hours divided into sixty minutes and minutes into sixty seconds. Why were these numbers used ?
I became fascinated by this subject when I taught navigation to airline pilots. I found they understood the concepts better with some of this historical background to explain why and how we measure time the way we do.
PS I also repair clocks !
Views: 1665 | Enquiries: 15About Barry Hamblin
After 25 years flying in the RAF as a navigator I found myself running a training company for airline pilots after doing a favour for a friend.
My wife has a lavender business (I am the tractor driver) and when she opened a shop which was too large for her sole use I closed my training company and took the spare half of the shop to indulge my passion for selling antiques. My wife and I give talks on the history of lavender, growing lavender and how it is used (see Lavender and Co) and this, together with being a trustee of our small but beautiful local museum and a love of antiques and history, has resulted in me giving number of talks on a variety of historical subjects.
The RAF trained me to instruct and I just love presenting the subjects I care so much about.
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Barry Hamblin
- Remember Remember - the story of the gunpowder plot
- In Search of Terra Incognita - the life of Captain James Cook
- What they don't tell you about climate change
- Lavender, the Forgotten Herb
- Operation Black Buck - the Vulcan bomber raids in the Falklands
- Bristol Airports: Past, Present and Future
- D-Day Landings: Operation Neptune.
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