As of Sunday, November 7th, Daylight Saving Time ended. Providing everyone an extra hour of sleep since the clock falls back one hour once the clock strikes 2:00 AM. This change is implemented throughout the world’s regions, but at different times and days, depending on the region. For example, the North American Region and the European Region have a difference in fourteen days during the start of Daylight Saving Time, and a twenty-four day difference from when Daylight Saving Time ends.

So, why does the world practice Daylight Saving Time?

When researching in depth there were accounts showing the purpose of Daylight Saving Time and why it started. According to NPR, it started in an effort to use less coal and candles to save the amount of resources they would use. Waking up earlier would mean more sunlight during the day and would require less use of resources to keep the night lit.

Does this benefit the world in modern day?

With arguments supporting and denying the idea of benefits, there is no clear answer. It has been proven by some studies that there is a benefit. According to a study conducted in 1975 from the U.S. Department of Transportation, it was proved that when Daylight Saving Time was in effect, each day, the use of electricity was cut by one percent. Although it is a small amount, it can provide a significant impact considering the amount of money and resources saved due to a one percent cut in power usage.

Whose idea was it to start Daylight Saving Time?

According the the Daylight Saving Workshop, the idea of Daylight Saving Time was introduced into the world first by Benjamin Franklin in a profound essay called An Economical Project. The idea was then first advocated in London by a builder of the name William Willett, a local from the area, who included it in his pamphlet Waste of Daylight in the year 1907. In the year 1918 DST was adopted into the United States of America in The Statutes at Large of the United States of America. 

Should Daylight Saving Time be discontinued? With arguments for both sides there is no telling what the future is to come with DST.