Westclox Alarm Clock
The Westclox alarm clocks didn't start out as a great success story, it went through a couple of bankruptcies before it became one of the top selling clock companies in the United States. The original "United Clock Company” was founded in Peru, Illinois around 1885 by a Charles Stahberg from Waterbury, Connecticut. Stahberg patented his technological innovation in September of 1885, and it wasn't long after his patent had been registered that his company went through bankruptcy. The company didn't give up and reorganized itself in 1887 under the name "Western Clock Company", only to repeat history and file another bankruptcy. The company was reorganized again in 1888, (seeing how the third time is a charm), and called itself the"WesternClock Manufacturing Company" and by 1908 was granted its first patent for an alarm clock. This patents success landed the company on its feet and the clock has been in production for over one hundred years.
The patented famous line of alarm clocks that was introduced around 1909 was called the "Big Ben" and within a year they introduced a clock named the "Baby Ben". The design patented was known as the "bell back" , which means the alarm bell mechanism was part of the clocks case, which also means the bell echoed from within the clocks casing, making it so loud that it not only woke you up but your neighbor as well. They had ten popular models in the Big Ben and Baby Ben clocks, each one with its own particular face, shape and color. They also dated each clock up until the 1970's, the date can be found on the clocks movement.
In 1912 the company's name was changed to the "Western Clock Company and eventually in January of 1916, the "Westclox" trademark was registered. You can find the trademark "Westclox" on the front dial of the Big Ben clocks as well as on the back of the clocks that were produced between 1910 and 1917.
In the late 1950's the company patented a "drowse” alarm which is known as the "snooze" button today. The company went on be the leading maker of alarm clocks along with compasses and clocks for the United States Army and United States Navy as well, during World War II. The clock company is owned today by NYL Holdings LLC.
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The Antique Clock Vault
The Big Ben alarm clock was first sold in 1909 and has evolved through many case style and movement changes. The Baby Ben was first sold in 1910 and has evolved in a similar way. To identify a Ben, find out which of the case styles it matches. Pay particular attention to the shapes of the cases since various case colors were available in styles 2 through 10, and the dial on your clock might be different. For more exact dating, look on the movement - a date will be found on almost any Big Ben or Baby Ben made up until mid-1970's. Click here for more Alarm ClocksMaybe your next treasure will be found on one of these pages!Beautiful Antique clocks for sale
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