Francine Jackson

Francine Jackson, the lead astronomer at Brown University's Ladd Observatory and a local history enthusiast, dives into the 1853 Valley Falls train collision. She discusses its historical significance, exposing how it stood out among rail disasters and its eerie photographic legacy. The conversation reveals the chaotic timekeeping before standardization and how railroads fueled the urgent need for synchronized clocks. Francine shares gripping details about the crash, the subsequent safety reforms, and the evolution of time as we know it, while reflecting on its lasting impact.