Farmers were trying something new on this day in 1917. Short winter days always meant a drop in egg production.

A farmer near Woodstock decided to wire his henhouse with electricity, using artificial light to fool his hens into thinking it was daytime. Remarkably, his plan worked.

The hens began getting up when the lights came on at 5:30, eating earlier in the day, and subsequently, laying more eggs. It was lights out at 4:30, and the hens would return to the roost, satisfied with their day’s work.

When other farmers learned of this success, those who had access to electricity were anxious to give it a try.

Image courtesy the Vermont Historical Society.