Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Local resident pushes to make daylight-saving time permanent

Rodney · 05-04-2004, 08:17 PM

The article doesn't mention that we _actually had year-round_ daylight savings time for two years in the early 70s, as an energy-saving strategy in response to the oil "crisis" of '73 - '74. I was in junior college during that time, and I remember what it was like. It was stupid.

I remember driving past high schools in the winter with everyone arriving for class in pitch darkness. Nobody could do gym outside in first period. My dad was working construction at the time, and when he got to work in the wintertime, it was so dark he couldn't find his tools. Year-round DST was considered a pain in the ass by all, and was abolished within two years. Studies found that loss of productivity caused by later sunrises more than erased any gains caused by later sunsets. In the morning, work's getting done; in the evening, more people are just kicking back.

You can argue with me if you want to, but the point is this: if year-round DST really were a good idea _it would never have been abolished after two years in the '70s._ As it was, most Americans got roundly sick of it.

05-04-2004, 08:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	The article doesn't mention that we _actually had year-round_ daylight savings time for two years in the early 70s, as an energy-saving strategy in response to the oil "crisis" of '73 - '74. I was in junior college during that time, and I remember what it was like. It was stupid. I remember driving past high schools in the winter with everyone arriving for class in pitch darkness. Nobody could do gym outside in first period. My dad was working construction at the time, and when he got to work in the wintertime, it was so dark he couldn't find his tools. Year-round DST was considered a pain in the ass by all, and was abolished within two years. Studies found that loss of productivity caused by later sunrises more than erased any gains caused by later sunsets. In the morning, work's getting done; in the evening, more people are just kicking back. You can argue with me if you want to, but the point is this: if year-round DST really were a good idea _it would never have been abolished after two years in the '70s._ As it was, most Americans got roundly sick of it.