Who created “Daylight Saving Time” and what countries have it?
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 M
