"The idea of British Summer Time (BST), also known as Daylight Saving Time, was first proposed by a keen horse-rider, William Willett, who was incensed at the 'waste' of useful daylight first thing in the morning, during summer. Though the sun had been up for hours during his rides through the local woods in Chislehurst and Petts Wood, people were still asleep in bed.
In 1907 he published a pamphlet called The Waste of Daylight, outlining plans to encourage people out of bed earlier in summer by changing the time on the nation’s clocks. He spent the rest of his life fighting to get acceptance of his time-shifting scheme. He died in 1915 with the Government still refusing to back BST. But the following year, Germany introduced the system. Britain followed in May 1916, and we have been 'changing the clocks' ever since."
Information for the National Maritime Museum. Photo by me.
William Willett, my hero. What a cool name, too.
ReplyDeleteHappy BST to you too, Peony. Spring is here :)
thank you for sharing that little bit of history....
ReplyDeletehope the sun has shone all day for you as it did over my bit of britain
take care xx
*considers how she can get P to come take pictures of the trees outside her Northern California window...*
ReplyDeletei've totally forgotten about this. arrived work an hour late...damn
ReplyDeleteIt's summer time in France too :-). And there's still some daylight at 7:30 in the evening (getting married in a little more than a month) : yeah !
ReplyDeleteSummertime? In Britain already? If only, it were here now. Warm weather, and breezy dresses. Enjoy the weather! :)
ReplyDeletePurdy photo. :)
ReplyDeletegorgeous
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that it is 'summer' again. So nice to wake up in the light.
ReplyDeleteIt suddenly feels so different doesn't it? Magical time of year.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo.
A mini history lesson and a beautiful picture. What more could I ask for.
ReplyDeleteI'm English and I never knew this. Lovely photo! Tara :o)
ReplyDelete