Fall back: Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday

So make sure to move your clocks back one hour before you go to bed tonight or when you get up first thing Sunday morning.

Did you know Daylight Savings Time is the invention of Benjamin Franklin from his 18th century Parisian days. He figured that to increase the number of productive daylight hours, during the seasons when the sunlight shines early, that if you bring the clock back you can gain an additional hour of sunlight in the morning.

However, it wasn't Benjamin Franklin who gave it an actual start; instead, the practice was born of necessity during World Wars I and II.

The practicality of his idea came into play during these wars, when scarcity and rationing were the operative words. By following their normal routines, and by going to bed hours after sundown, people relied upon artificially generated light, which depleted the scarce reserves of fuel in its generation. Germany realized that this precious commodity could better be used to serve the war effort, and instituted the first daylight saving laws in 1915. Those who refused to comply with the lights out curfew faced punishment.

England followed suit in 1916, and, finally, the United States, in 1918.

The United States reinstated the daylight saving laws on a national basis during World War II. The close of the war ended the law's necessity, but the national habit continued on a voluntary basis.

Daylight Saving Time had taken root in our society, and was now the norm. Of course, daylight saving time never affected the farmer, whose livelihood dictates that he adheres to the old adage "Early to bed, early to rise."

The next time you change your clocks is March 14, 2010 -- the second Sunday in March.

Kevin is the chief meteorologist for WTHI-TV in Terre Haute.