history of - Idea of paying for things with time

I recently read the Quantum Thief.

This book had the idea of the time you live as something that can be used to pay for things. When you run out of "money" you die.

I was wondering is this the original source for this idea? Or does anyone know of an earlier book with the same idea?

Answer

The earliest I know of is "Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman by Harlan Ellison (Written in 1965). Attorneys representing the author are actually suing the creators of the movie "In Time" because of its similarities to the short story.

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