No, Benjamin Franklin did not invent Daylight Saving Time. But he did muse about its practicality in a 1784 essay. So, if Franklin didn't invent DST, where did all this springing forward come from? 

Bob calls up Chad Orzel (A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks) to get to the bottom of this question. 

Oh, and don't forget to change your clocks on March 8th! 

No, Benjamin Franklin did not invent Daylight Saving Time. But he did muse about its practicality in a <a href="https://fi.edu/en/science-and-education/benjamin-franklin/daylight-savings-time">1784 essay</a>. So, if Franklin didn't invent DST, where did all this springing forward come from?&nbsp;
Bob calls up Chad Orzel (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brief-History-Timekeeping-Science-Stonehenge/dp/1953295606">A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks</a>) to get to the bottom of this question.&nbsp;
Oh, and don't forget to change your clocks on March 8th!&nbsp;

Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history — from the Revolutionary War to rock & roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com.

Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history &mdash; from the Revolutionary War to rock &amp; roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com.

American History Hotline

American History Hotline with Bob Crawford

Why Do We Spring Forward? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c5faf116-0560-4fc4-9f13-b3fa0155098f/transcript