Concepts of Time in Physics: A Synopsis

I summarize the historical development of concepts of time in physics from antiquity to the end of the twentieth century. Editors’ Note: Max Jammer received the American Physical Society/American Institute of Physics Abraham Pais Prize for the History of Physics for 2007, “For his groundbreaking historical studies of fundamental concepts in physics, including his comprehensive account of the development of quantum mechanics.” We publish here his Pais Prize Lecture, which was presented at the APS meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 16, 2007.