If you’re feeling extra groggy this week, you aren’t alone. On Sunday, March 8, 2026, millions of Americans performed the annual tradition of “springing forward,” losing an hour of sleep to kick off Daylight Saving Time. While most of us accept this clock shift as a fact of life, there is a history behind it, filled with misconceptions.
It’s Not for Farmers
One of the biggest myths is that DST was created to help farmers, but the agriculture industry actually fought against it. Farmers’ schedules are dependent on the sun, and not the clock. Waiting an extra hour for dew to evaporate off hay or trying to milk cows who weren’t ready an hour earlier was very disruptive. Instead, the practice was promoted by urban retailers and recreational businesses who wanted more sunlight for shoppers in the evening.
Wartime Origins
The idea of shifting time to save energy was first proposed by Englishman William Willett in 1907, though he died before seeing it happen. It was actually Britain’s wartime enemy, Germany, that first adopted the practice in 1916 to conserve electricity during World War I. The U.S. followed in 1918.
Between the World Wars, the U.S. canceled the law, leading to a confusing mess of local times. In 1965, Iowa alone had 23 different pairs of start and end dates. Things were so disorganized that a 35-mile bus ride through Ohio and West Virginia once involved seven different time changes! Order was finally restored with the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which standardized the time for the 48 states that currently participate.
Does It Actually Save Energy?
While DST was intended to save fuel, modern studies show mixed results. A 2008 Department of Energy study showed just a 0.02 percent drop in energy use, while other research suggests that any savings on lighting are canceled out by the increased use of air conditioning on hot summer evenings.
The Future of the Clock
As of 2026, 19 states have passed laws to stay on Daylight Saving Time permanently. While states can choose to stay on Standard Time (like Arizona and Hawaii), federal law currently prevents them from choosing permanent DST. Until Congress passes legislation like the Sunshine Protection Act, we will continue to “spring forward” and “fall back” for the foreseeable future.
