"John lives in an state that touches the Atlantic Ocean and Mary one that touches the Pacific. During a phone conversation one night, they realize that it is the same time in both locations. How can this be?"
The answer is inside the
Futility Closet.
It is interesting that Time Zones were invented by the US rail industry, to be able to publish accurate schedules. Otherwise, every town had their own concept of time based on the sun. This was in the late 1800s. It wasn't until the early 1900s that Congress officially approved the time zone concept.
ReplyDeleteMark, I am not contradicting you, but I had always heard that time zones were invented by railroads to prevent collisions. Maybe these are two sides of the same coin.
ReplyDeletenice puzzle!!
ReplyDeleteI did not realize Gulf of Mexico was in the Atlantic Ocean These are distinct bodies of water, I'd always thought.
ReplyDeleteDan, the Gulf is separate. The person lives in the panhandle of Florida, which is a state that does touch the Atlantic. The city he lives in is not on the Atlantic, but the state does touch it.
ReplyDeleteIf John lives in the state of Veracruz (Atlantic coast), and Mary in the state of Oaxaca (Pacific), it's the same time for both all the time, viz., Central Standard Time. Mexico, too, is a federal republic made up of states (Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos)
ReplyDeleteTrue. And very clever, Anon.
ReplyDelete