Six Things You Didn’t Know About Daylight Saving Time in Michigan

You may be on board with more daylight in the evening, but I'll go out on a limb and say you're probably not a fan of losing an hour of sleep as we shift to Daylight Saving Time.

While many of your devices will automatically update when we enter Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 9, some - like the radio in your vehicle - may not. Good luck with that one.

Setting the time in your car didn't make our list, but we've compiled six things about Daylight Saving Time in Michigan you may not know.

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1. Michigan Has Made Several Attempts to Abolish the Time Change

Twice per year, there's talk of abolishing Daylight Saving Time in Michigan. The 'Sunshine Protection Act' would put our state on permanent 'Daylight' time, meaning we'd 'spring forward' and never look back.

However, House Bill 5566 has been stuck in legislative purgatory for over a year and Michigan would need the cooperation of five neighboring states to adopt the permanent change.

2. It's Saving, Not Savings. Please Get it Right

Regardless of what you may hear, there is no 'S' at the end of 'Saving' in Daylight Saving Time. Here in Michigan, we also tend to do this with Meijer, Kroger, Walmart, and Target.

The grammar nerd in me politely asks you to please get this right.

3. Ben Franklin Didn't Invent Daylight Saving Time

While Ben Franklin is often credited with inventing Daylight Saving Time, his suggestion was satirical, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. 

Germany originated the practice in 1916. George Hudson and /William Willett get credit for introducing proposals that led the US to adopt the practice in 1918.

4. Michigan Has Two Time Zones

Michigan did not observe Eastern Time until 1931. Detroit began aligning itself with New York Time a few years before that. Today, all of Michigan observes the semi-annual time change but four Michigan counties are in the Central Time Zone.

5. Farmers don't like the Time Change

It's a popular misconception that Daylight Saving Time is a benefit to farmers. However, many farmers are against the practice according to Ag America, and the agriculture industry lobbied against the practice in the early 1900s.

6. Daylight Saving Time May Not Actually Save Energy

While changing the clocks may have impacted energy savings in decades past, Save on Energy reports that Daylight Saving Time may not save energy or could lead to increased energy demand.

More daylight at the end of the day may, however, lead to increased profits for businesses as consumers may shop more during daylight hours.

Bonus Fact:  Daylight Saving Time May Lead to Health Risks

Studies have shown that the semi-annual clock change can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and car accidents, especially in the days following the time change.

Digestive issues, a decline in mental health, and workplace injuries can also be realized immediately following the clock change.

A Timeless Time-Change Typo

And let's not forget, the most magnificent time-change typo in history. Thanks to the folks at WNEM-TV 5 in Saginaw for this glorious picture, snapped and shared by @PignatelliPatty.

Warning:  This weekend we SPRING FORWARD. Also, DO NOT attempt this: