John Oliver explains the surprising reason why daylight saving time exists

It has nothing to do with farmers

Published March 9, 2015 2:03PM (EDT)

  (HBO/Eric Liebowitz)
(HBO/Eric Liebowitz)

On Sunday night, "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" asked the question many wondered as the time on our clocks jumped an hour forward on Sunday morning: "Daylight saving time, how is this still a thing?"

The answer, as "Last Week Tonight" explained, has nothing to do with farming. Rather it was started during WWI by the Germans "as a fuel saving measure." Why so many countries still observe daylight saving time is still a mystery. Watch below:


By Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an assistant editor at Salon, focusing on innovation. Follow @sarahhhgray or email sgray@salon.com.

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