The SHOCKING History of Daylight Saving Time!

2025-03-09 06:00:41.518

Most Americans will soon 'spring forward' an hour, but have you ever wondered about the history of daylight saving time (DST)? This practice, used in about 70 countries, began in the 1890s with proposals by George Vernon Hudson and William Willett, but it wasn't until World War I that Germany adopted it to save energy. The U.S. followed suit, implementing "war time" during both World Wars. After WWII, a patchwork of timekeeping caused widespread confusion until the 1966 Uniform Time Act standardized DST implementation. The article highlights the chaos that can result from inconsistencies in DST implementation, using the example of Lebanon's last-minute decision to delay the start of DST in 2023. The article also explores the consequences of not changing the clocks, noting that year-round DST was unpopular in the 1970s due to the late sunrises in winter. Finally, the story features the early adoption of DST in Thunder Bay, Canada, which demonstrates the potential benefits of the practice, especially in northern latitudes.