You asked for it....
The main purpose of Daylight Saving Time (called "Summer Time" many places
in the world) is to make better use of daylight. Daylight Saving Time also
saves energy. Studies done by the U.S. Department of Transportation show
that Daylight Saving Time trims the entire country's electricity usage by a
significant, but small amount, of less than one percent each day with
Daylight Saving Time. We save energy in both the evening and the morning
because we use less electricity for lighting and appliances. Energy use and
the demand for electricity for lighting our homes is directly connected to
when we go to bed and when we get up. Bedtime for most of us is late evening
through the year. When we go to bed, we turn off the lights and TV. In the
average home, 25 percent of all the electricity we use is for lighting and
small appliances, such as TVs, VCRs and stereos. A good percentage of energy
consumed by lighting and appliances occurs in the evening when families are
home. By moving the clock ahead one hour, we can cut the amount of
electricity we consume each day. Daylight Saving Time also saves a small
amount of energy in the morning when we rise. Studies show that 70 percent
of all Americans rise prior to 7 a.m. during the workweek. During the summer
months, sunrise is very early in the morning, so most people will wake after
the sun rises. Because the sun is up, we will turn on fewer lights in our
homes. Thus, we actually use less energy in the morning.
The idea of daylight saving was first conceived by Benjamin Franklin
(portrait at right) during his sojourn as an American delegate in Paris in
1784, in an essay, "An Economical Project." The energy saving benefits of
this were recognized during World War II, when clocks were put two hours
ahead of GMT during the Summer. This became known as Double Summer Time.
During the war, clocks remained one hour ahead of GMT throughout the winter.
Daylight saving has been used in the United States and in many European
countries since World War I, when the system was adopted in order to
conserve fuel needed to produce electric power. In 1918, in order to
conserve resources for the war effort, Congress placed the country on
Daylight Saving Time for the remainder of WW I. It was observed for seven
months in 1918 and 1919. The law, however, proved so unpopular (mostly
because people rose earlier and went to bed earlier than we do today) that
the law was later repealed in 1919 over President Wilson's veto. It was
continued in a few states (Massachusetts, Rhode Island) and some cities (New
York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and others. During World War II, the United
States observed year-round Daylight Saving Time (from February 2nd, 1942 to
September 30th, 1945). From 1945 to 1966, there was no federal law about
Daylight Saving Time. So, states and localities were free whether to observe
or not to observe Daylight Saving Time and could choose when it began and
ended. This, however, caused confusion -- especially for the broadcasting
industry, and for railways, airlines, and bus companies. Because of the
different local customs and laws, radio and TV stations and the
transportation companies had to publish new schedules every time a state or
town began or ended Daylight Saving Time. During the Arab-Israeli War in
October 1973, Middle East members of OPEC issued an embargo against the sale
of crude oil to Israel's Western allies. In the United States, gasoline
became scarce and prices jumped 40 percent, crimping the American economy.
Following the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo, Congress put most of the nation on
extended Daylight Saving Time for two years in hopes of saving additional
energy. This experiment worked, but Congress did not continue the experiment
in 1975 because of opposition -- mostly from the farming states.
In 1974, Daylight Saving Time lasted ten months and lasted for eight months
in 1975, rather than the normal six months (then, May to October). The U.S.
Department of Transportation -- which has jurisdiction over Daylight Saving
Time in the U.S. -- studied the results of the experiment. It concluded:
Daylight Saving Time saves energy. Based on consumption figures for 1974 and
1975, The Department of Transportation says observing Daylight Saving Time
in March and April saved the equivalent in energy of 10,000 barrels of oil
each day -- a total of 600,000 barrels in each of those two years.
Daylight Saving Time saves lives and prevents traffic injuries. The earlier
Daylight Saving Time allowed more people to travel home from work and school
in daylight, which is much safer than darkness. And except for the months of
November through February, Daylight Saving Time does not increase the
morning hazard for those going to school and work.
Daylight Saving Time prevents crime. Because people get home from work and
school and complete more errands and chores in daylight, Daylight Saving
Time also seems to reduce people's exposure to various crimes, which are
more common in darkness than in light.
The Department of Transportation estimated that 50 lives were saved and
about 2,000 injuries were prevented in March and April of the study years.
The department also estimated that $28 million was saved in traffic accident
costs
Daylight Saving Time was changed slightly in 1986 when President Reagan
signed Public Law 99-359. It changed Daylight Saving Time from the last
Sunday in April to the first Sunday in April. No change was made to the
ending date of the last Sunday in October. This was done ostensibly to
conserve energy during the month of April. Adding the entire month of April
is estimated to save nationwide about 300,000 barrels of oil each year.
You asked for it!!!
On a side note I hate DST!!!
Michael
Team TJ.
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