Antique Alarm Clocks - A Legacy of Style and Precision

The origin of the alarm clock in the United States iscompany, among them, Ingraham, E. N. Welsh, and
widely credited to Levi Hutchins, who was thought tothe William Gilbert Clock Company.
have made the first mechanical alarm clock in 1787.The Art Deco style seemed to dominate the design
Although there is no disputing that Hutchins made aof clocks in the 1920's and 30's. The clean lines and
clock to sound an alarm at 4am, the existence ofgeometric shapes were incorporated into many
such clocks in Europe precedes the 1780's.mantle clocks. Foremost in this style, were the
Back in the 14th and 15th centuries, large, mechanicalFrench and Swiss, among them Cartier, who designed
clocks chimed every hour in many European cityan antique alarm clock with a square face, and black
squares. There is evidence that far more primitiveenameled handles and gold hands. The Seth Thomas
versions of alarm clocks were in use in Ancientcompany also made an art deco clock using a green
Greece. Many of the early mechanical models arefaux-marble material called Catalin.
popular among collectors, and thanks to the Internet,From the early mechanical models, to the intricate
are relatively easy to locate.antique travel models, to Westclox's 1959 model, the
One popular style was the advertising clock. AlthoughDrowser, the first clock with a feature that is
it required a bit of an investment, companies soonindispensable today, the snooze button, they have
caught on to the trend of advertising their logos oncome a long way. Those who appreciate this
clock faces. Perhaps the best knows were the redcombination of style and precision will search high and
and white cola branded ones, first manufactured inlow for the next addition to their collection. There is
the 1890's by the Edward Baird company. Many otherno doubt that antique alarm clocks have a rich and
companies went on to make time pieces for the colacolorful history.