Carl Johnson on Nostr: Ever wondered *why* they drop a ball on #NewYearsEve? It started as a system of ...

Ever wondered *why* they drop a ball on #NewYearsEve? It started as a system of sending accurate time from an observatory, by telegraph. #Albany's Dudley Observatory proposed such a scheme to New York and other major cities beginning 1856. Unfortunately, the observatory never really got it together. It's a long tale of woe, intrigue and possibly swindle.
#localhistory #history #histodons #AlbanyNY

The promise, and failure, of Albany Time is chronicled here:
https://hoxsie.org/2015/08/10/the_observatorys_new_clothes/