In 1915 the British Parliament enacted a law which banned, inter alia,the supply of fireworks and binoculars and the practice of bell-ringing. Why?

The Defence of the Realm Act was passed in August 1914 at the outbreak of the First World War.

It gave the government extensive powers, many of which were never used, for example, the following all became illegal; writing letters in code, using a camera without a permit, lighting bonfires, ringing church bells, buying binoculars, feeding bread to dogs and horses...

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More serious were restrictions on hoarding food and profiteering and the fact that suspected spies could be held without trial.

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Trade Union rights were limited and the government took the power to control rents and prices and seize land and horses.

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In 1916 British Summer Time was introduced for the first time and the opening hours of public houses were limited.

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Alcoholic drinks were watered down and buying rounds of drinks was banned. Convictions for drunkenness fell from 3388 in 1914 to 449 in 1918.

Nothing new, is there?! You get some national panic inspired with little or no evidence and the government takes away rights. The sale and use of invisible ink was also banned (how did they know..?)

Worst of all, the law introduced the first restrictions on pub opening hours . Such restrictions survived until this century.Dear old 'DORA', gone but not missed.