The fascinating history of daylight savings time
By IQRA AHMAD —- arts@theaggie.org
Twice a year, millions of people across the world partake in a curious ritual of adjusting their clocks, either gaining or losing an hour. For some, like on Nov. 3, it’s a welcomed extra hour of sleep or, for others, an unwelcome disruption. This practice, otherwise known as daylight savings time (DST), alters our perception of time twice a year. But where did this odd custom come from, and what influence does it have on time today?
Historically, clocks did far more than simply tick away the hours like they do now. In ancient Rome, for instance, timekeepers manipulated their hours relative to the seasons. A “summer hour” could span up to 75 minutes, while a “winter hour” might fly by in only 44 minutes.
The idea of “saving” daylight isn’t unique to just the Romans. For centuries, humans have sought ways to capture sunlight to most efficiently serve them throughout the day as well as the duration of history. In 1784, Benjamin Franklin famously proposed adjusting schedules to save on candle usage in a satirical letter to a Parisian newspaper, according to The Franklin Institute. His suggestion was meant to be humorous, but the concept would ultimately take root just a century later.
The concept of DST surfaced in 1895 when New Zealand entomologist George Hudson presented his proposal to the Wellington Philosophical Society to re-adjust a two hour shift in clocks in order to optimize daylight for leisure, as reported by the National Conference of State Legislatures. It wasn’t until 1907, when a man from Southeast London, William Willet, published a pamphlet, “Waste of Daylight,” to call for actual changes in time, though he was initially unsuccessful.
In the throes of the first world war, daylight savings time reappeared as a strategic instrument, as opposed to solely a clock change. The idea of longer, sunlit evenings and less strain on coal supply for lamps supported Willet’s advocacy to rewind the clocks. When Germany jumped on the daylight savings bandwagon on April 30, 1916, Britain did not want to be left in the dark. Just weeks later, on May 17, they launched their own “Summer Time Act” to soak up on those extra daylight hours, according to BBC.
In the United States, only during World War II was DST adopted. While it was not completely embedded into daily life or legally implemented, different states began using the system. Therefore, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 sought to restore order, setting a national DST policy. This was furthered by Nixon, who in January 1974, signed a law establishing year-round DST to reduce gas consumption amid a national energy crisis, according to Smithsonian Magazine. While it was initially popular, President Gerald Ford changed the policy after a U.S. Senate report noted public dislike during the winter months. Now, in recent years, the Sunshine Protection Act was introduced to make DST permanent, passing through the Senate in 2022.
As we continue to adjust our clocks, the debate over daylight savings time remains far from settled. From its origins in ancient civilizations to its fluctuating status in modern society, DST has had a lasting impact on our relationship with time. While the future of daylight savings time remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the way we measure and manage time will continue to change, whether we spring forward, fall back or leave the clock ticking without change.
Written by: Iqra Ahmad — arts@theaggie.org
