Westclox

A Westclox "Big Ben".

Westclox is a manufacturer of clocks and alarm clocks.

Early history as United Clock Company

Charles Stahlberg and others from Waterbury, Connecticut originally formed as "United Clock Company" on 5 December 1885 in Peru, Illinois, intending to manufacture clocks based on a technological innovation by Stahlberg. This innovation was patented by Stahlberg on 22 September 1885 (US patent #326,602) and involved the use of molded lead alloy movement plates with inset brass bushings as well as lead alloy gear assemblies. Shortly after being granted the 1885 patent, United Clock Company went bankrupt, and there are no known surviving examples of the patented clock.

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Diagram of Stahlberg's clock patented in 1885.

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The condemned Westclox building in Peru, Illinois

Bankruptcies, reorganizations, and mergers

In 1887, the company reorganized under the new name "Western Clock Company." The company again went bankrupt, and was reorganized by F. W. Matthiessen in 1888 as the "Western Clock Manufacturing Company." In 1908, the company was granted a patent for the "Big Ben" alarm clock movement. This movement has a "bell-back" design, which means that the bell mechanism is integral to the clock's case. The company first brought the Big Ben to market in 1909. The company's name was shortened to "Western Clock Company" in 1912. In 1920, the Big Ben becomes the first alarm clock advertised nationally, with ads placed in the Saturday Evening Post.[1]

The modern trademark of the company, "Westclox," first appeared on the backs of Big Ben alarm clocks from 1910 to 1917. The name appeared on Big Ben dials as early as 1911. The trademark was officially registered by the company on 18 January 1916.

In 1919, Western Clock Co., Ltd., was incorporated. Twelve years later, in 1931, the company merged with Seth Thomas Clock Company, with both companies becoming divisions of General Time Corporation. The Westclox unit became known as "Westclox Division of General Time Corporation" in 1936.

World War II wartime efforts

A Westclox seventeen-jewel pocketwatch.

In 1938, Westclox introduced their first portable travel alarm clock to the market. during World War II, Westclox and other General Time Corporation subsidiaries produced aviation instrumention and control components, compasses for the United States Army, and clocks for the United States Navy. From 1942 to 1945, Westclox ceased all production intended for domestic civilian sale and dedicated its production resources to the war effort, becoming a major manufacturer of fuses for military ordnance.

Late 20th Century developments

In 1959, Westclox introduced their "drowse" alarm, which integrated what is now more commonly known as a "snooze" function. Talley Industries acquired General Time in 1968. 1972 saw Westclox's introduction of the quartz movement. In 1988 General Time was purchased by its management from Talley Industries. Another bankruptcy shortly followed, with the "Westclox" and "Big Ben" trademarks being acquired by Salton, Inc. in 2001.

External links

• Westclox official website.
• History of Westclox at Clockhistory.com