zone-systemhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zone-system_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezone system, n.
First published 1921; not fully revised

zone systemnoun

  1. 1903–
    1. 1903
      Hungary has introduced a zone system on her railways, which has made travelling on them the cheapest in the world.
      Daily Chronicle 21 November 7/2

Originally published as part of the entry for zone, n.

zone, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.