Antique Alarm Clock
Antique Alarm Clocks - A Legacy of Style and Precision
By Jackson Page
The origin of the alarm clock in the United States is widely credited to Levi Hutchins, who was thought to have made the first mechanical alarm clock in 1787. Although there is no disputing that Hutchins made a clock to sound an alarm at 4am, the existence of such clocks in Europe precedes the 1780's.
Back in the 14th and 15th centuries, large, mechanical clocks chimed every hour in many European city squares. There is evidence that far more primitive versions of alarm clocks were in use in Ancient Greece. Many of the early mechanical models are popular among collectors, and thanks to the Internet, are relatively easy to locate.
One popular style was the advertising clock. Although it required a bit of an investment, companies soon caught on to the trend of advertising their logos on clock faces. Perhaps the best knows were the red and white cola branded ones, first manufactured in the 1890's by the Edward Baird company. Many other companies went on to make time pieces for the cola company, among them, Ingraham, E. N. Welsh, and the William Gilbert Clock Company.
The Art Deco style seemed to dominate the design of clocks in the 1920's and 30's. The clean lines and geometric shapes were incorporated into many mantle clocks. Foremost in this style, were the French and Swiss, among them Cartier, who designed an antique alarm clock with a square face, and black enameled handles and gold hands. The Seth Thomas company also made an art deco clock using a green faux-marble material called Catalin.
From the early mechanical models, to the intricate antique travel models, to Westclox's 1959 model, the Drowser, the first clock with a feature that is indispensable today, the snooze button, they have come a long way. Those who appreciate this combination of style and precision will search high and low for the next addition to their collection. There is no doubt that antique alarm clocks have a rich and colorful history.
To learn more about antique alarm clocks, visit http://www.CollectibleClocksGuide.com
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