### The Great Daylight Savings Debate: A Journey Through Time
In a world that seems to be spinning faster each day, one topic that keeps coming back like an annoying pop-up ad is daylight savings time. Many people have opinions about this perplexing tradition, but how did it even start? A recent discussion among conservative commentators shed light on its not-so-great origins, which trace back to the whims of a few historical figures who thought they knew better than the rest of us. Buckle up, because the history of daylight savings is as tangled as a ball of yarn in a room full of kittens!
The tale begins with none other than Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father and notorious night owl. In a satirical letter penned in 1784 while he was in Paris, Franklin suggested that a little daylight in the morning could save on candle expenses. His quirky plan involved tax incentives on shutters and even firing cannons at sunrise to wake the lazy Parisians. As funny as it sounds, Franklin’s musings planted the very first seeds for what would later spiral into the chaos of daylight savings time. Who knew that a joke about cannon fire would have ramifications for centuries?
Fast-forward to the late 19th century, when a New Zealander named George Vernon Hudson came onto the scene. A diligent entomologist by day and butterfly collector by night, Hudson felt that the sun was setting too soon for his nighttime entomological escapades. He proposed shifting clocks back by a mere 20 minutes—a peculiar concept that leaves many scratching their heads today. Yet another wealthy Englishman, William Willet, felt similarly in 1907, lamenting the lack of productivity among his workers. He too suggested a 20-minute shift and lobbied Parliament to take action. However, it was the chaos of World War I that finally gave birth to the idea of officially changing clocks by a full hour.
As Europe was embroiled in the Great War during 1916, nations began to realize they had a pressing need to conserve energy. With the battlefields lighting up, they needed all the daylight they could muster to keep coal for armament production. This cascading effect eventually saw the United States, under President Woodrow Wilson, join in the clock-shifting trend. The act was a noble effort to rally citizens in a time of need, but alas, it marked the beginning of a yearly headache for many.
A fascinating twist in this tale occurs post-WWI, when the American public grew wary of Wilson’s progressive policies and his lack of leadership during his final term. The backlash led to the repeal of daylight savings, but it made a triumphant return during WWII under Franklin D. Roosevelt, who pushed it forward again for wartime efficiency. This back-and-forth history highlights how defined leadership can shake up even the strangest of laws.
Today, roughly 70 countries still observe daylight savings time, while other nations wisely opt out. Most of Asia, Africa, and South America roll their eyes at the whole concept. With the biannual clock changes linked increasingly to health issues—ranging from heart attacks to general grumpiness—it’s fair to say that the daylight savings legacy is a mixed bag. The only winner appears to be the coffee industry, since everyone is left yawning from the abrupt time shifts.
So as the clock ticks forward or back, one must wonder: is it time to give the whole tradition the boot? If a future leader, perhaps Donald Trump, were to take a stand against this century-old phenomenon, it could mean less confusion and more sunlight at dinner time for everyone. The debate continues, but one thing is for sure—when it comes to changing time, it might be best to leave that up to the sun. After all, if candles can stay put, why shouldn’t we?
