Q:
Who invented the 24-hour day?
A:
Quick Answer
The Greek astronomer Hipparchus was the first to propose a day divided into 24 equal hours. Hipparchus standardized this system from the Egyptians, who also divided the day into 24 hours but did not use a standard length for each hour.
Continue Reading
Credit:
Billy Currie Photography
Moment
Getty Images
Full Answer
Hipparchus's system is also known as "equinoctial" time because it was based on 12 hours of daytime and 12 hours of nighttime on the equinoxes. Many cultures continued to use hours of varying length, but hours became more standardized in the medieval period due to the use of mechanical clocks. In 1884, the universal day of 24 hours was proposed and accepted at the International Meridian Conference, which also began to standardize time zones.
Learn more about InventionsRelated Questions
-
Q:
How much electricity does a TV use?
A: The most accurate method to determine how much electricity a TV uses is to multiply the wattage of the television by how many hours per day it's used. Divi... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Is UPS open on Sunday?
A: Most UPS Stores are closed on Sunday, but self-service UPS Drop Boxes found in more than 40,000 locations throughout the country are available 24 hours a d... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How long is a day on Neptune?
A: A day on the planet Neptune is approximately 16 hours, according to NASA. It is the farthest non-dwarf planet in the solar system from the Sun. It takes Ne... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How do you take care of a citronella plant?
A: Citronella geranium, also called mosquito plant, can tolerate relatively dry soil and needs about 6 hours of sunlight every day. While it can withstand par... Full Answer >Filed Under:
