It happens like clockwork twice a year…right when you think you’re in the rhythm of a sleeping and waking schedule, Daylight Savings Time (DST) sneaks up on you!

Like a time-traveling prankster, DST has a knack for leaving half of us wondering if we’re late, early, or caught in a temporal loop. But have you ever wondered where this time adjustment originated? 

In celebration of “springing ahead” this month, we’re uncovering the origins of Daylight Saving Time in the United States!

History of Daylight Savings Time

There are several competing theories about the inception of DST, including that Benjamin Franklin was the proprietor of the idea, and farmers first enforced it to have more daylight hours in the fields.

However, the most concrete origin traces back to World War I, when DST was enacted in Germany in 1916 as a means of energy conservation.

The Standard Time Act of 1918 introduced DST in the U.S. to save fuel by reducing the need for artificial lighting in the evening. For the first time, Americans set their clocks forward in spring and back in fall.

After the war, the U.S. ditched DST, leaving it to local jurisdictions to decide whether or not to continue the seasonal clock adjustment. It wasn’t until the thick of World War II that Daylight Savings Time was rebooted in the United States under a wartime measure to save energy once again.

Post-war, states and cities decided individually whether to observe DST, leading to a timekeeping tangle. Imagine the confusion of taking a train across the country and continuously changing time zones! 

This madness persisted until 1966, when the Uniform Time Act came into play. This standardized Daylight Savings Time across the nation but allowed states to opt-out if desired. Arizona and Hawaii did just that, sticking with standard time all year round.

During the energy crisis of 1974, the U.S. tried a continuous DST, thinking it would save energy. Turns out people didn’t enjoy going to work or school in the dark during the winter months! 

The experiment was short-lived; by 1975, America returned to the seasonal switch.

Daylight Savings Time Today

The most recent twist in the DST saga occurred in 2007 when the Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended the duration of Daylight Saving Time to reduce energy consumption further. 

This resulted in the schedule we follow today: spring forward on the second Sunday in March, fall back on the first Sunday in November.

Still, Daylight Savings Time remains a source of controversy and confusion. Critics argue that energy savings are minimal and the time change can cause disruptions to human health and daily routines. As a result, there have been legislative efforts in various states to abolish DST or to make it permanent year-round, which would require federal approval.

Whether you like it or not, we hope you made it through this round of Daylight Savings Time and perhaps even worked in a nap to catch up on that lost hour of sleep!

Catch Some Extra Shut Eye at The Lodge

All that time adjustment made you sleepy? Cozy up at The Lodge and catch some extra zzz’s! As Manson’s premier lodging destination, you’re sure to feel energized after a stay in one of our comfy cozy rooms!

Book online or give us a call today to reserve your spring getaway to the Lake Chelan Valley. We look forward to hosting you!