The fact that consumers today can simply logon to the Internet and browse to their heart’s content from among an extensive range of clocks of all makes and models is even more notable when you consider the history of American clocks.
While early manifestations of the clock had been in existence for generations throughout ancient civilizations and now throughout Europe, American clock making in the early 1850s was essentially confined to the creation of clock towers to be used in public spaces. The fact was that the average American household at the time was unable to afford a clock for their home; the painstaking process of making each clock by hand – in addition to the shortage of materials at the time – made clocks for personal use extremely expensive.
The clocks that were made for the home were longcase clocks – known today as Grandfather clocks – identified by their height, pendulum, and hood above the clock face. Long case clocks were intricately carved and took enormous skill to create. Their expense also limited their purchase to very few American households. Ultimately, American clockmakers began to experiment with smaller clock designs in order to reduce prices and make them more available for average households.
What followed were the early manifestations of mantel clocks (or shelf clocks as they were known then) and wall clocks – portable versions of clocks that were more affordable.
Today, clocks of all kind can be found in households across the country – everything from wall clocks and mantel clocks to more contemporary versions of timekeeping such as atomic clocks.