Chapter 1: The Evolution of Timekeeping

Let’s explore the intriguing history of timekeeping. How did people manage to track time in the 20th century?

There were various methods, such as subscribing to telegraphic time services or tuning into the radio for the time signal. However, there was more to it. Many individuals relied on Ruth Belville for their timekeeping needs. She provided Greenwich Mean Time directly from the Royal Observatory to numerous clients in the city, using a watch that was older than herself. This family-operated venture flourished for over a century. Now, let’s examine how the Belville family became synonymous with timekeeping.

Here, we delve into the legacy of the Belville family and their unique business model.

Section 1.1: The Belville Family Legacy

The Belville family utilized a silver-cased chronometer that enabled them to effectively sell time. Despite the emergence of new technologies in the 1930s, many continued to depend on Ruth's services. Unfortunately, the family's business faced decline in the following decades.

In the early 19th century, Londoners found themselves in need of accurate time. Although good clocks were available, their value diminished unless they were synchronized with the broader community's standard time.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Role of the Royal Observatory

How did the Royal Observatory communicate time? A large balloon atop the building served as the signal. Each day, the balloon was raised and dropped precisely at 1 PM. This service, initiated in 1833, was primarily aimed at helping sailors synchronize their marine chronometers.

By 1852, advancements allowed the observatory to install a large clock at its entrance, making time accessible to the public. However, this presented a challenge; where there’s a need, enterprising individuals often emerge to capitalize on it.

This was the case for John Belville, who worked as an assistant at the Royal Observatory. He started a service to correct the Greenwich Mean Time for about 200 clients weekly. Following his death, his wife continued the service until it was passed down to their daughter, Ruth.

Chapter 2: Ruth Belville – The Greenwich Time Lady

Ruth Belville became known as the Greenwich Time Lady. Complications arose when John Wayne, who managed a company that provided time signals via telegraph, criticized her business, claiming it was outdated and insinuating that she relied on her femininity to attract clients. Surprisingly, Wayne’s comments inadvertently provided Ruth with free publicity, boosting her business even further.

Despite the introduction of radio signals in 1924, which made accurate time more widely accessible, Ruth continued to operate her business until 1940, marking an impressive 103 years of family legacy.

Explore the life of Ruth Belville in the video "Ruth Belville - The Woman Who Sold Time" to understand her unique contribution to timekeeping.

In "108-The Greenwich Time Lady," discover more about Ruth's remarkable journey and her impact on the world of timekeeping.