Telechron synchronous motor clock
Date: circa 1923
Inventory Number: 1998-1-1318
Classification: Clock
Dimensions:14.4 × 14.4 × 9.4 cm (5 11/16 × 5 11/16 × 3 11/16 in.)
DescriptionThis clock is housed in a brass cylindrical case, which is painted black. The dial is silvered brass with a white matte finish. Hours 1-12 are divided into minute intervals. The hands are simple. Below the "12" is a circular window revealing a shifting plate behind it with sections colored white, red, and black. Below this is the word, "Telechron," in script. The maker's name appears at the bottom of the dial outside the numerals.
The back of the clock movement is covered with a brass plate. There are two electrical terminals with silver metal washers and terminal caps of knurled plastic. One small thumbscrew is for setting the hours and minutes; the other for setting the color behind the front window. There is a bracket to mount the clock on a wall.
The maker's mark is stamped at the bottom of the plate in a shield. It reads:
[star] / WARREN CLOCK CO. / ASHLAND, MASS. / PATENTED / OCT. 29-1918 / MAR. 23-1920 / U. S. A. [company logo].
The logo is a toothed wheel pierced to reveal a "W."
Signedprinted on dial: WARREN CLOCK CO. ASHLAND, MASS.
stamped on back plate: WARREN CLOCK CO. / ASHLAND, MASS. / ... / U. S. A.
Inscribedpatent dates inscribed on the back: OCT. 29-1918 / MAR. 23-1920
DPW hand engraved his initals on the back: DW / 1923
Historical AttributesThis clock received a standard time signal electrically. It applied these patents of Henry Ellis Warren, founder of the Warren Clock Company:
1,283,431 Oct. 29, 1918
Electric Clock System
A system of A/C electric clocks, a means for regulating the generator and comparing it with a separate master clock, and the type A motor.
1,283,432 Oct. 29, 1918
Self-Starting Synchronous Motor
1,283,433 Oct. 29, 1918
Self-Starting Synchronous Motor
1,283,435 Oct. 29, 1918
Self-Starting Synchronous Motor--Basic layout of the type A motor.
1.334.423 Mar. 23, 1920
Indicator for Electrically Driven Clocks and power outages.
It is similar to the electrical clocks set up in the Institute for Geographical Exploration at Harvard, which took their time from the Shortt-Synchronome master-slave clock system there (1998-1-0187a, b).
ProvenancePurchased by David P. Wheatland in 1923 and given to CHSI in 1990.