a Republican invented Time Zones

https://grandoldpartisan.typepad.com/blog/2022/11/time-zones.html

Grand Old Partisan commemorates the beginning of time zones in the United States. Until 1883 each locality kept its own time, but train travel made this increasingly problematic. November 18th, an observatory at the University of Pittsburgh telegraphed when it was exactly noon on the 90th meridian. Railroads throughout the country then reset their clocks according to their time zones. That date became known as "the Day of Two Noons".

Dividing the country into four times zones was the idea of civil engineer William Allen. Seven years, his General Time Convention organization had promoted the plan among businesses and politicians. October 1883, a gathering of railroad executives approved it.

President Chester Arthur named him to an international conference. Allen headed his county Republican committee and went on to be delegate at the GOP’s 1908 national convention.