(Hi)Story of the Hour in About 60 Minutes

Throughout history, time has been deeply woven into the fabric of society, influencing our interactions, shaping our understanding of the world, and playing a role in human progress. Far from merely an abstract concept for philosophical debate, time is a tangible force that structures our daily lives. We experience it as both a fundamental aspect of the natural world and a human-made framework, whether in the cycles of celestial bodies or the measured progression of a clock. Indeed, time is essential to human existence, manifesting in every dimension of our experience, from the natural rhythms around us to the structured schedules we create.

Despite its pervasive nature, we often fail to examine time beyond its practical applications. We frequently take the division of the day into 24 hours for granted. But how did this system of time measurement originate? This lecture will explore the dual nature of time—both natural and artificial—while tracing the historical significance of one of its most fundamental human constructs: the hour. It will provide an overview of the origins of the hour, the evolution of timekeeping, and the enduring presence of time in contemporary society.

Richard Finn, Ph.D., is a career Navy officer who served on six ships, as a NATO staff member in Italy, and as an in-kingdom adviser to the Royal Saudi Navy. He concluded his military career as the lead wargame scenarist at the Naval War College (NWC). He continued his relationship with NWC for two decades as an adjunct professor teaching the online National Security Affairs program. He also applied his wargaming expertise to examine cyber disruptions in critical infrastructure within the interagency environments. Ric earned a B.S. in Education from Southern Connecticut State University and pursued graduate studies at the Naval War College, Hawaii Research Center for Future Studies, and Salve Regina University, ultimately earning an M.A. in International Relations and a Ph.D. in Humanities from Salve.