When did daylight savings originate and by whom?

Question

Who came up with the idea that we should set our clocks back one hour in the fall and forward one hour in the spring?

Answer 1

Daylight saving time (DST), also known as summer time, is a widely used system of adjusting the official local time forward, usually by one hour from its official standard time, for the spring, summer, and early autumn periods. The term Daylight savings time, although commonly used, is technically incorrect.

Much more info at this link... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_savings_time

Answer 2

DST was first mentioned in 1784 by Benjamin Franklin in a letter to the editors of the Journal of Paris.[1] However, as the satirical article was humorous, it is extremely clear Franklin could not seriously propose that the French adopt it. The mere suggestion that a tax be levied on those who have their shades drawn during daylight hours, or simply that people should get up and go to bed earlier is ludicrous.[2]

It was first seriously proposed by William Willett in the "Waste of Daylight", published in 1907, but he was unable to get the British government to adopt it, despite considerable lobbying.

The idea of DST was first put into practice by the German government during the First World War, between April 30, 1916 and October 1, 1916. Shortly afterward, the United Kingdom followed suit, first adopting it between May 21 and October 1, 1916. On June 17, 1917 Newfoundland became the first North American jurisdiction to adopt DST with the passing of the Daylight Saving Act of 1917. On March 19, 1918, the U.S. Congress formally established several time zones, which had been in use by railroads and most cities since 1883; at the same time they made DST official, effective March 31, for the remainder of World War I. It was observed for seven months in 1918 and 1919. The law, however, proved so unpopular, mostly because people rose and went to bed earlier than in current times, that it was repealed in 1919, when Congress overrode President Woodrow Wilson's veto of the repeal.

Answer 3

Benjamin Franklin

Answer 4

Benjamin Franklin back in the late 1700's.

Answer 5

US military.

Answer 6

Why?