Warwick, RI — Daylight Saving Time takes effect tomorrow, so remember that while many clocks managed by our future robot overlords will jump ahead by themselves, there are still a few that need to be moved ahead an hour the old fashioned way, with humans.
The idea of Daylight Saving Time was first introduced by Ben Franklin, who suggested in a letter to the Journal of Paris in 1784 titled: “An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light” that it would make the best use of daylight hours.
National Geographic.com’s “The Strange and Surprising History of Daylight Saving Time”, points out the satirical nature of Franklin’s piece, but hints at the possibility that the US Ambassador to France, an renowned advocate of thrift, saw the merit in the idea but cloaked it in humor.
These days, the practice continues on the second Sunday in March.
Most modern gadgets — cell phones, alarm clocks, some TVs, an increasing number of fridges and toasters — switch the time automatically, but it’s still a good idea to change the times on other devices Saturday night before bedtime.
Even if you don’t, it’s important to remember Daylight Saving when you wake up Sunday and feel like you lost time sleeping.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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