BOB's BLOG - Friday 28 March 2025
- Rob Kelly
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Welcome to the end of another week and another month! This month is special as clocks Spring forward for British Summer time. Which got me thinking...
Who Invented British Summer Time: A Fascinating Journey Through Time
Ever wondered why we mess with our clocks twice a year? Let me tell you a story about British Summer Time that's way more interesting than you might expect!
The Visionary Behind the Time Shift
Meet William Willett, a creative English builder who wasn't just good at constructing houses – he was about to construct an entirely new way of thinking about time. Back in 1905, Willett was out for an early morning ride and noticed something that drove him crazy: tons of people were still fast asleep while the beautiful summer sunlight was going to waste.
Imagine his frustration! Here was this gorgeous morning, full of potential, and most folks were snoozing right through it. So, what did he do? He wrote a passionate pamphlet called "The Waste of Daylight" that would change how we think about time forever.
From Crazy Idea to Wartime Reality
Willett's original idea was pretty wild. He proposed moving clocks forward by 80 minutes – not all at once, mind you, but in four weekly 20-minute increments. It sounds complicated now, but he was onto something big. The real breakthrough came during World War I when countries started looking for ways to conserve resources.
On May 21, 1916, the British Summer Time Act became official. Sadly, Willett never got to see his dream fully realized – he had passed away just two years earlier. Talk about a posthumous victory!
The Good, The Bad, and The Clocky
Let's be real – British Summer Time isn't without its controversies. On the plus side, we get those magical long summer evenings where it feels like the day just doesn't want to end. Imagine finishing work and still having plenty of daylight for a nice walk, a game of football, or just sitting in a beer garden. Sounds pretty great, right?
But it's not all sunshine and extended daylight. Farmers have long complained about the time change disrupting their schedules. Some people struggle with the sudden shift in sleep patterns. And let's be honest – changing all those clocks is a genuine pain!
A Bit of Wartime Drama
During World War II, things got even more interesting. The British introduced "Double Summer Time," which was basically taking the whole time-shifting concept to the extreme. Clocks were moved two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Talk about commitment to the cause!
The Modern-Day Time Dance
These days, we continue our biannual clock-changing ritual. Every last Sunday of March, we spring forward, and every last Sunday of October, we fall back. It's become such a part of our rhythm that most of us don't even question it anymore.
The Human Behind the Time
What's most fascinating about this story is William Willett himself. This wasn't just some bureaucratic decision – it was one man's passionate belief that we could use our daylight better. He spent his own money advertising and promoting his idea, truly believing he could change how we experience time.
So next time you're grumbling about changing your clocks, spare a thought for William Willett – the man who looked at a sleepy world and decided we could do better with our daylight!
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Rob & the Tried & True Team
Key Words: British Summer Time, William Willett, Daylight Saving Time, Time Change, UK Time Zones, Summer Daylight, History of Time Keeping, Clock Changing, Energy Conservation, Seasonal Time Shift
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