Daylight Saving

[water01]

One thing that has always puzzled me about Daylight saving is the dates we set it on.

In the UK we have just put the clocks back on October 29th and they are due to go forward again on March 24th.

Now this doesn't make sense since October 29th to December 21st (midwinter solstice after which the days start lengthening again) is just under 2 months whereas December 21st to March 24th is 3 months. Why isn't it February 25th which would give exactly the same period of time either side of the midwinter point and thus the same day length as when we put the clocks back? Or is my logic incorrect?

[mcrossley]

You are not alone, I've wondered why it is like that as well.

[RayProudfoot]

On 25th Feb the sun rises at 7:05 and sets at 17:39 here. So on the face if it moving the clocks forward then doesn't seem to be a problem although those living in the more northerly parts of the UK may disagree.

However, the average temp at the end of Feb is around 7C whereas a month later it's around 10C so it may be delayed until temps are more condusive to spending time outdoors. Just my six penneth.

[bigmac]

I may be wrong, but Ray I think you are on the right track. I seem to remember something about it being for farmers and linked to growing seasons.....

ah, but found this on a schools website:

"William Willett first proposed the idea of British Summer Time in 1907 in a pamphlet entitled 'The Waste of Daylight'. Willett had noticed that the summer mornings light was wasted while people slept, and that the time would be better utilised in the afternoon by putting the clocks forward. After campaigning for years the British Government finally adopted the system a year after Willett's death."

which then led to this:

http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/willett.html

[beteljuice]

See:

General: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time

UK specific: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Summer_Time

I didn't know there was a pressure group for Double Summer Time

[water01]

Hmmm some great input, but none really explain the logic behind 2 months one side and 3 the other. After Christmas it always seems soooooo long before we put them forward again!!

[whitenemesis]

Is it determined by when the daylight length is greater and then less than 12hrs? adjusting the actual change day to be the last w/e in that month?

[b.e.wilson]

Here's what it did when "falling back."

[wd40]

Here in the US, daylight saving time is set up for the shops and stores to bring more shoppers in since shopping drops off after dark.

[serowe]

Daylight saving in ALL countries that emplpy it are designed primarily to help reduce power usage (one of the reasons the UK had double daylght savings during the war years) and allow the people more time to themselves during the periods that will benefit them - ie have some leisure time after they have finished work.

As to why more time at the end of the designated period - simply because during this period there is still sufficient daylight left to make use of it when temperatures are still amenable and conducive to leisure activities. In some countries (such as Australia) it was also to prevent the country from having multiple time periods over an extended period thus because Australia's southern most state, Tasmania, is able to benefit from having an extended daylight savings period, all other states that also have it were brought into line a few years ago - thus extending - both at the start and finish - their existing daylight savings period from late Nov to early March to late Oct to early April.

However, no matter what time period is used, there will always be some disident groups who object to it regardless of any benefits (perceived or actual) and many of these people end up making money from it in the long run by opening businesses restoring fabric that has been faded because of the additional sunlight hours!