Many sources note Benjamin Franklin as an early proponent of DST. Not really. During his time in France, Franklin noticed his hosts' penchant for sleeping late into the day. Ever the prankster, he wrote a satirical bagatelle entitled "An Economical Project". In it, he suggested laws to mandate the ringing of church bells and the firing of cannons to wake Parisians at dawn. He touted the saving of candle tallow as just one of the myriad benefits. How would ole Ben feel now seeing this bit of whimsy as law in his native land? Whether this exercise actually saves any energy is open to debate.
So prepare for our semi-annual time shift and check the batteries in your smoke-detector. The state of Arizona is the only continental state that does not adhere to DST. When do they change their batteries? as ever - BB
"All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present, but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we often make troublesome changes without amendment and frequently for the worse." - Ben Franklin
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