Is Daylight Savings Time Just to Allow More Trick or Treating?
As we get ready to turn the clocks back, and end Daylight Savings Time (Spring forward, fall back) some experts again are questioning why we even do it in the first place?
DST was first floated by Benjamin Franklin in the very late 1700's as a way to conserve 'candles,' or energy. Throughout modern U.S. history, it was also claimed to save fuel, electricity and costs. But studies as recently as 2008 show no appreciable difference or savings by turning clocks ahead in March, then back again in November, according to Forbes Magazine.
Many now wonder why in the last few years, the end of DST was pushed back into November, instead of October. Well, Forbes has an answer for that too. Various sources say it was at the urging of the National Chamber of Commerce, due to Halloween. Forbes says the retail industry believed an extra hour of daylight on Halloween meant more trick or treating, more consumption and more candy purchases-especially in grocery stores.
Before you think this is a 'fable,' consider this. Forbes reports after the push to 'fall back' timewise in November, Halloween became the #2 commercial holiday, exceeded only by Christmas.
It is not universally accepted. Many foreign nations don't observe it, and numerous states in the U.S. don't either.