Daylight Saving Time originated from an insect expert's desire to collect beetles after work—he simply wanted more evening daylight.

George Hudson, a British-born astronomer and entomologist living in New Zealand, presented his first proposal to the Wellington Philosophical Society in 1895. He advocated for a two-hour forward shift to gain more evening daylight for collecting insects—his favorite hobby. Though initially dismissed, his second paper in 1898 gained greater acceptance within the scientific community.Independently, British builder William Willett proposed a nearly identical concept in 1907 through his pamphlet "The Waste of Daylight." Willett's frustration stemmed from a different source: his morning golf games were cut short by early sunsets, while daylight was already abundant before most people woke. He campaigned unsuccessfully with the British Parliament for years until World War I changed everything.Germany and Austria-Hungary became the first nations to implement Daylight Saving Time on April 30, 1916, driven by a wartime priority: conserving coal and fuel by reducing artificial lighting needs. The United States adopted the practice in 1918, though it remained inconsistently applied and controversial for decades. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 finally standardized the practice across the U.S.Over 70 countries now observe Daylight Saving Time, yet it remains contentious. Recent research from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reveals that the time shift disrupts circadian rhythms and increases heart attack risk. Despite these health concerns, Hudson's original goal—gaining more time to pursue an evening hobby—continues to shape how billions of people manage their daily schedules.