DST

World War I marked the first implementation of daylight savings time (DST) in Germany, then Great Britain and the U.S., for the purpose of conserving energy. Because of its "fantastic unpopularity," it was dropped after the war.

Though brought back for the Second World War, it was still unpopular, especially with farmers. But America adopted the policy after the Chamber of Commerce fought for it:

"That’s right. National daylight saving policy wasn’t developed for the benefit of farmers, it was actualized based on lobbying on behalf of department stores."

"[D]epartment stores . . loved the extra hour of daylight in the evening. They saw “a huge uptick in business” as laborers headed home from work had more time to stop and shop without worrying about returning home in the dark. 

"“At Congressional hearings on daylight savings in 1985, 1986, the golf industry– by itself– said that one extra month of daylight savings would be worth $400 million in additional green fees and equipment sales. The barbecue industry said it would be worth $200 million in additional sales of grills and barbecue briquettes.” 

Now you know.