Why are there daylight savings

Benjamin Franklin gets some credit for the idea of daylight saving time, though his recommendation was really a joke. In a letter to the editor of the Journal of Paris , Franklin jokingly recommended the people get out of bed earlier in the morning to minimize the use of candles and lamp oil.

In , George Hudson, an entomologist from New Zealand, came up with the modern concept of daylight saving time. He proposed a two-hour time shift so he'd have more after-work hours of sunshine to go bug hunting in the summer. Hudson suggested moving clocks ahead two hours in October and then a two-hour shift back in March. In , William Willett, a British builder, suggested moving clocks ahead 20 minutes every Sunday in April and then setting them back every Sunday in September.

That's eight time changes every year! Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. How the Troubles Began in Northern Ireland. Why do we call it a gallon hat? In , independently from Hudson, British builder William Willett suggested setting the clocks ahead 20 minutes on each of the four Sundays in April, and switching them back by the same amount on each of the four Sundays in September, a total of eight time switches per year.

The first Daylight Saving Bill was drafted in , presented to Parliament several times, and examined by a select committee. However, many, especially farmers, opposed the idea, so the bill was never made into a law.

It is not known if he was aware that his idea had become a reality seven years before his death in a small town in Ontario. DST can cause health problems. Many sources also credit Benjamin Franklin for being the first to suggest seasonal time change. For now, however, if you live in a region that shifts the clocks twice a year, be wary of its effects.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest update on European Union's vote to end its mandated daylight saving time. All rights reserved. Daylight Saving Time About 70 countries around the world practice daylight saving time.

Find out who came up with the concept, when the time change was first enacted nationwide, and how some places are attempting to eliminate it. What's behind the changes in sunlight? When did daylight saving time begin? Who observes daylight saving time? Are there benefits to daylight saving time? Share Tweet Email. Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants.

This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city Caracals have learned to hunt around the urban edges of Cape Town, though the predator faces many threats, such as getting hit by cars. India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country.

Go Further. Animals Climate change is shrinking many Amazonian birds. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs.

Meet the people trying to help. Environment COP26 nears conclusion with mixed signals and frustration.