Daylight Saving Time-What is it Good For?

First of all let’s get something straight right off the bat- it’s Daylight SAVING Time, not SAVINGS.  Ok, now that has been clarified, I must admit I LOVE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME!  I love the extra hour of sunlight, especially living here in the Treasure Valley, right on the time zone. Yes I brag to my friends and family how we have sunlight until 10pm during June and July. I love being able to play golf a 6pm and be able to get 18 holes in!

 Now for a quick history on the idea. If you think Daylight Saving Time is a good idea, thank New Zealand scientist George Vernon Hudson and British builder William Willett. In 1895, Hudson presented a paper to the Wellington Philosophical Society, proposing a 2-hour shift forward in October and a 2-hour shift back in March. There was interest in the idea, but it was never followed through.

 In 1905, 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.  At least we don’t have to do that!  Daylight Saving Time is now used in over 70 countries worldwide and affects over one billion people every year.

I’ve already stated that I LOVE the extra daylight, but what I don’t love is the ‘springing and falling’ back every year. I know that for parents of young kids, it is especially hard on them when trying to get them to bed….’but the sun is still up.’ And even our pets get a little cranky, they have their clock and they know when it’s time to eat and you moving the clock doesn’t change my stomach clock. How about let’s make it a permanent thing? Just please keep the extra hour of sunshine!