Why British Summer Time Was Introduced in 1916: Energy Saving in War

Discover the origins of British Summer Time in 1916, its purpose, and impact on energy savings during WWI.

264 views

British Summer Time (BST) was introduced in 1916 to make better use of daylight during the longer days of summer. This was primarily to save energy during World War I by reducing the need for artificial lighting and allowing more daylight working hours.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is British Summer Time? British Summer Time (BST) is the practice of advancing clocks by one hour during the warmer months to extend evening daylight.
  2. How does British Summer Time affect energy consumption? BST helps to reduce energy consumption by maximizing daylight hours, thereby decreasing the need for artificial lighting during summer evenings.
  3. When does British Summer Time start and end? BST starts on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October each year.
  4. Why is Daylight Saving Time controversial? Daylight Saving Time is debated due to its mixed effects on health, productivity, and energy savings, leading to differing opinions on its necessity.