Rethinking daylight saving time
Debunking the history, myths and impact of a century-old policy in the present-day world.

Every year, at 2 a.m. on a quiet Sunday morning, something strange happens across much of the world. Millions of clocks jump forward by an hour, stealing a small piece of sleep from people around the world. This is known as daylight saving time (DST), and it has been observed for over a century. Many question why we practice DST and whether it serves a meaningful purpose. 

The history of daylight saving time

According to National Geographic, the concept of daylight saving time involves moving clocks during warmer months so that evenings have more daylight. One of the U.S. founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, suggested in 1784 that Parisians could save candlelight by waking earlier. Although Franklin didn’t propose clock changes. 

The modern concept is credited to New Zealand scientist George Hudson, who, over a century later, formalized the concept. According to Time and Date, Hudson proposed shifting clocks in 1895 to allow for more daylight after work hours. 

The idea became popularised and was widely adopted in the early 20th century during World War I, where Germany became the first country to implement it nationally as a way to conserve fuel. Following this change, many countries started to follow suit across continents. In North America, the U.S. and Canada adopted the concept shortly after for similar war energy-saving reasons. 

After the war, the concept of clock shifts died down, and people returned to their old practices. However, due to the inconsistent schedules across the country, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 was developed in the U.S. to create a national standard for when clocks change. 

Similarly, in Canada, the rise and fall of the clock shift concept caused a lot of confusion nationwide regarding travel, broadcasting and business schedules. To solve this issue, provinces began to standardize when daylight savings time started and ended to coordinate schedules and maximize daylight hours for factories and production.

Misconceptions

A common belief is that daylight saving time was created to benefit farmers. However, farmers historically opposed the concept because it disrupted their schedules. According to National Geographic, agricultural activities depend on sunlight instead of clock time. 

Imposing a clock shift meant that farmers would have less daylight during the day for errands, such as delivering crops to markets. In addition, farm animals follow a natural light cycle, and a sudden shift could interfere with their routine and productivity. 

Daylight saving time is also not universal. Countries near the equator rarely use it because their hours don’t vary across seasons. Countries like Russia and parts of Asia have tried adapting DST, but later abandoned the concept due to health concerns. 

Negative effects

A common criticism of DST is its potential negative effect on human health. According to the Sleep Foundation, when clocks move forward in the spring, people lose an hour of sleep. This interferes with the body’s circadian rhythm—an internal clock that regulates sleep and wake cycles. 

Bloomberg School of Public Health at John Hopkins highlights that this can increase stress, reduce productivity, and negatively impact overall well-being.  

Why is daylight saving time still practiced today? 

Despite its negative impact on both farmers and people’s health, DST is still practiced due to economic factors. 

According to National Geographic, industries like retail and entertainment benefit from daylight savings. They see an increase in sales. Longer daylight exposure motivates people to shop and participate in activities after work. 

Moreover, there is no consensus on what should replace the current system. Some experts support the idea of a permanent standard time, which aligns better with the body’s biological rhythm. A 2025 article from Stanford Medicine highlights that standard time places the sun higher in the sky earlier in the day. This allows people to receive more sunlight in the morning, contributing to more regulated sleep cycles and alertness. 

On the other hand, some prefer to keep a permanent time all year round for economic benefits, outdoor productivity and convenience of day-to-day life. 

Now that the clocks have moved forward this year, many around the world are adjusting their routines to account for the increased amount of sunlight. As we continue to evolve our understanding of DST’s impacts, this yearly shift is a reminder of how policies can persist long after the world that created them has changed.