[The] History of Daylight Saving Time (DST)

Time and Date ^ | Anne Buckle

[SunkenCiv]

While Germany and Austria were the first countries to use DST in 1916, it is a little-known fact that a few hundred Canadians beat the German Empire by eight years. On July 1, 1908, the residents of Port Arthur, Ontario—today's Thunder Bay—turned their clocks forward by one hour to start the world's first DST period...

...Germany introduced DST in 1916. Clocks in the German Empire, and its ally Austria, were turned ahead by one hour on April 30, 1916—two years into World War I. The rationale was to minimize the use of artificial lighting to save fuel for the war effort.

Within a few weeks, the United Kingdom, France, and many other countries followed the idea. Most of them reverted to standard time after World War I, and it wasn’t until the next World War that DST made its return in most of Europe.

If you think Daylight Saving Time is a good idea, you can thank New Zealand scientist George Vernon Hudson and British builder William Willett. In 1895, Hudson presented a paper to the Wellington Philosophical Society, proposing a 2-hour shift forward in October and a 2-hour shift back in March...

Many sources also credit Benjamin Franklin for being the first to suggest seasonal time change. However, the idea voiced by the American inventor and politician in 1784 can hardly be described as fundamental for the development of modern DST. After all, it did not even involve turning the clocks. In a letter to the editor of the Journal of Paris, entitled "An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light," Franklin simply suggested that Parisians could economize candle usage by getting people out of bed earlier in the morning. What's more: Franklin meant it as a joke.

[Sequoyah101]

Nothing good ever does in this country anymore. Especially things that make sense.

Wrong is wrong no matter how many are in favor of it and right is right no matter how many are against it. Well, that is how it used to be.

[Sequoyah101]

It is now officially, lather than you think. The gooberment says so. So let it be written, so let it be done. Shaboom!

[Fresh Wind]

I still remember the days of the Great Gas Crisis when they went to full-year DST to “save” energy. It was spooky going to work when it was still dark (zero dark 30).

I don’t mind DST, but we should go back to the original 6-month version, not the overly long 7-month version we have now.

[Laslo Fripp]

We have family in Yuma.

It drives my wife crazy trying to figure out when is a good time to call

[Adder]

sorted in rough chronological order.

Standard or DST?

[newfreep]

DST 2024 Starts in the USA

Most of the United States starts Daylight Saving Time (DST) on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

https://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/usa-start-dst-2024.html

[ChessExpert]

Thanks for relaying your experience.

Nothing says “gimmick” like Daylight Savings Time.

DST has a dictatorial quality as well. “Move your clocks forward an hour” prepares the way to “do as your told” and “get your vaccine.”

[PGalt]

Interesting. Thanks for posting, ‘Civ.

[SisterK]

Arizona used to observe daylight savings time but discontinued in 1967.
Because it was silliness and a bit dishonest.

That was back before the state was owned by the cartels.

[SisterK]

you are correct on all points

[HartleyMBaldwin]

I’m retired now, so DST or the lack of it makes no real difference to me personally. I’ve lived in Arizona for most of the last 40 years and personally prefer having year-round standard time. When I was working, I’d go to work in the dark most of the year anyway, and in the summer I didn’t want the sun hanging around an extra hour in the evening. Since retiring, I’m generally up by sunrise, winter or summer, and I very seldom have to stay out in the afternoon sun or to stay up particularly late.

I realize that conditions are different in different parts of the country, which is why each state should decide for itself whether to observe DST. It shouldn’t be a federal matter except perhaps to decide when the change dates should be, and maybe not even that.

[SunkenCiv]

Depends, some of those sundials were adjustable. ;^)

[bgill]

Split it down the middle. 30 minutes. And stick to it all year.

[SunkenCiv]

Somewhere in the virtual world I once found a genealogist’s piece on the Julian-to-Gregorian change, which wasn’t just a single thing, but important to know in order to evaluate possible ancestors’ records. “This isn’t the right birthday, not the guy” isn’t always a slam dunk. :^)

[gnarledmaw]

Im betting its because people dont wake to alarm clocks to head to their jobs at the factory anymore. I didnt see any reminders here either.

They kicked most of the manufacturing jobs out of the country and most people that have to get up at a particular hour use their little digital spy to wake up now and those are self adjusting.

[Yardstick]

Something along those lines is what we figured when I was talking with the person who reminded me, but it is kind of funny how this year seems distinct from the rest in its lack of announcements and reminders. It makes me wonder if maybe the move away from a media monoculture is a factor. That is, everyone is tuned into their little niches rather than a common media. Maybe the fragmentation makes it so general announcements just don’t get made like they used to.

[SamAdams76]

Changing the clocks (whether in spring or fall) is one of my absolute favorite times of the year.

We are going to have an extra hour of daylight starting today!

It's like magic. When I go to work tomorrow, it will be broad daylight when I come home. I'll be able to put a steak on the grill and have a beer or two watching the sunset without having to come into the house. Glorious!

I will have this until around November, in which we will turn the clocks back again. By now, it is back to being cold. I actually don't mind coming home in the dark in the wintertime because all I want to do is get the fireplace going and sit in my recliner with a glass of wine or brandy while reading a good book while it snows or whatever outside.

People need to embrace the time changes and consider these occasions one of the best times of their life like me!

[Cobra64]

Cranky much?

[nopardons]

Yes, YOU are quite “cranky”, it seems; not to also mention petty and puerile.

[Jamestown1630]

That’s exactly how I feel about it :-)

I think I’ve always seen it as a ritual that heralds Summer, and then the Holiday season...