The history of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is filled with debates, adjustments, and adaptations, all revolving around the idea of shifting clocks to maximize daylight during waking hours. Here’s a rundown of how it began and evolved over time:

Origins and Early Proposals

• 1784: Benjamin Franklin is often credited as the first to suggest a concept similar to DST in a satirical essay, where he proposed that Parisians could save money on candles by waking up earlier and using natural sunlight.
• 1895: The first formal proposal for modern DST came from George Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist, who wanted more daylight after work for collecting insects. He proposed a two-hour time shift, though it wasn’t widely adopted.

WWI and the First DST Implementation

• 1916: Germany was the first country to implement DST on a national level, aiming to conserve fuel during World War I. Other European countries, including the United Kingdom and France, quickly followed suit, along with the United States.
• 1918: The U.S. implemented DST under the Standard Time Act, though it was largely unpopular and repealed in 1919. However, some cities continued the practice voluntarily.

WWII and National Standardization

• 1942: During World War II, the U.S. reintroduced DST under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, calling it “War Time,” which lasted from 1942 to 1945. This time, it was kept year-round to save energy.
• 1945 – 1966: After the war, there was no national DST standard in the U.S., leading to a patchwork of time changes. This caused confusion in transportation and broadcasting.

The Uniform Time Act of 1966

• 1966: The U.S. Congress passed the Uniform Time Act to standardize DST nationwide, allowing states to choose whether or not to observe it. This established DST from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.

Energy Crisis and Further Adjustments

• 1973: In response to the oil embargo, the U.S. extended DST for two years to conserve energy.
• 1986: Congress amended the start date of DST to begin on the first Sunday in April, responding to public pressure for extended daylight.

Modern Changes

• 2007: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 took effect, extending DST in the U.S. from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. This is the current standard.

Global Perspective

• Many countries observe DST, though the specific dates vary. However, some regions—especially near the equator—see little benefit from DST due to consistent day lengths and choose not to observe it. Notably, the European Union has debated discontinuing DST, and some U.S. states, like Hawaii and most of Arizona, do not observe it either.

The effectiveness of DST is still widely debated, with studies questioning its impact on energy savings and highlighting effects on sleep and health.