Tower bells and time zones, a history of synchronization

TL;DR

This paper explores the historical development of tower bells and their synchronization methods, highlighting technological advances from early public horologia to modern radio-based synchronization within time zones.

Contribution

It provides a historical overview of synchronization techniques used in tower bells from the 14th century to present, emphasizing technological evolution and accuracy improvements.

Findings

Early public horologia in 1344 marked the start of public timekeeping.

Radio synchronization now achieves accuracy within a second across time zones.

Historical methods evolved into modern radio-based synchronization techniques.

Abstract

The Astrarium made by Jacopo Dondi dell'Orologio in Padua in 1344 is one of the first public horologia in the World, their public utility is also shown through the history of the tower bell of Our Lady of Suffragio in Turin, made by the mathematician Francesco Fa\`a di Bruno in 1866. The tower bell of St. Anthony in Lanciano made by Antonio Cibotti was inaugurated by the Pope Paul VI in 1973 through a radio impulse, and now many tower bells are radio synchronized to the Central European Time within a single second of accuracy.