City history
From the disciplined communal life of Moravian settlers to the high-precision era of Bethlehem Steel, explore the history of time in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"House of Bread"
The settlement was formally established by Moravian missionaries in 1741. The name was chosen to honor the biblical town, reflecting the community's religious mission.
House of Bread
Named by Moravian settlers in reference to the biblical site in Judea.
Chapter two
Bethlehem transitioned from local solar time to standardized time following the adoption of time zones by the railroad industry.
The city began observing Daylight Saving Time to support national energy conservation and industrial efficiency during the First World War.
Chapter three
The Moravian Church established a communal settlement, creating a highly structured social and temporal environment for early residents.
The founding of this company marked the beginning of Bethlehem's transformation into a major industrial powerhouse in the United States.
The formation of Bethlehem Steel Corporation revolutionized the local economy and necessitated unprecedented industrial precision.
The city's factories pivoted to massive war production, requiring strict, synchronized shift schedules for thousands of industrial workers.