When did humans start using time measurements to describe distance?

Question

for example, "That's 30 minutes from my house"

Answer 1

I am not positive but I think this originated in Los Angeles with the rise of the car culture.

Answer 2

Hi there. Good question. People actually used time to describe distances LONG before they used distance measurements. Some of the oldest maps used this approach and explains why they look so messed-up! Example: Ancient Egyptian maps (there aren't many of them, though).

Most "primitive cultures" did the same thing even up until recently. The Native Americans described distances in terms of travel time between points, and the early French trappers tried to make maps the same way for their portage routes. Even so, the Greeks and Romans invented measuring devices to lay out roads with even distances (like Roman "milles" or "miles") so they could make accurate distance maps.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The concept of time is quite sophisticated, and was not widely used until a few thousand years ago. Prior to that, people measured time in terms of dawn, high noon, dusk.
Once they were able to break the day into smaller units, it would be a natural way to indicate distance as most people would still be afoot and walking at about the same pace.
Precisely when this came into common practice is hard to say, but as several ancient civilizations, Aztecs, Mayans, Egyptians, Chinese, were able to measure time several thousand years ago, that's probably when the practice began.

Answer 4

That's interesting yet I haven't a clue. I guess because people rather know how much actual riding time they have to endure rather than miles if they can't calculate distance in miles into an estimated time of arrival.

Like I rather my friend say I'm about 15 minutes out then 7-15 miles. Miles... I don't know how fast or slow she's driving so if I figure my heavy foot, radar scanner driving against her turtle butt I would guess incorrectly. But if she says I'm 15 minutes away then I know she's telling from experience of the familiar route that is how long it will be until she arrives.

Answer 5

As old as language itself. It is merely a frame of reference. Now we say Minutes/hours/miles. Used to be how many days long a ride was in whatever horse (or dog) drawn conveyance was currently in use. Probably was in days to walk before that. It's just now, with all our fast vehicles, we have to hurry-hurry-hurry!!! Remember One if by land? Paul Revere's ride?

Answer 6

I think because cars allows us to not really care about distance as much as how much time it will take. 8 miles 10 miles who cares I'm not walking it..But i do have an appointment at 830 how long will it take me to get there?

Answer 7

probably before they used distance measurments example: cave man tell cave woman caveman be back in two moons, have dinner ready.

Answer 8

Before your time

Answer 9

Long, long ago. Especially when navigation started.

Answer 10

when people start realizes their average speed of travel.