Clock, Time Recording

Object Name:

Clock, Time Recording

Object ID:

2016.039

Creator:

International Time Recording Company -- Manufacturer

Place of Origin:

Endicott, NY

Date:

1900-1910

Description:

Time recording clock, used by Boston & Maine Railroad in Concord, NH. Oak frame and case with locking, hinged glass door on front. Steel clock and recording mechanism. Brass dial marked with "ITRCO" monogram and "INTERNATIONAL / TIME RECORDING CO. / OF NEW YORK / ENDICOTT, N.Y." Two celluloid windows in lower part of case; upper one has days of the week; lower one has "IN" and "OUT" with movable pointer. Sliding card slot between the two windows. Bottom front of case has brass lever and rotating brass knob that controls position of "IN" and "OUT" pointer. Circular steel pendulum bob. Wall mounting bracket at top of case. 40 time cards, some stamped, in metal pocket on interior left side of case. White chalk inscription on interior left side of case: "TOP / BOTTOM / SEPT-9-59". Includes winding key, door key, and 251 blank cards.

Material:

Wood
Oak
Metal
Steel
Brass

Dimensions:

H-46.6 W-15.2 D-11.2 inches

Provenance:

Used by workers at the Boston & Maine Railroad yard in Concord, NH, for about 50 years. Given to James Newton (1900-1985), a B&M Railroad worker, when he retired and was donated by his daughter.

The time clock was invented in 1888 by Willard L. Bundy, a jeweler in Auburn, NY. A year later his brother, Harlow Bundy, organized the Bundy Manufacturing Company and began mass-producing time clocks. In 1900, the time recording business of Bundy Manufacturing, along with two other time equipment businesses, was consolidated into the International Time Recording Company (ITR). In 1911, ITR, Bundy Mfg., and three other companies were consolidated into one, forming Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR). The company's name later changed to International Business Machines (IBM). Among other products, ITR made a time card recorder, which was a clock made so that it automatically stamped the time of arrival and departure on a card inserted in a slot in the clock by a worker. The cards were made to hold a record covering the pay period. The record of the worker's time could then be compiled regularly by an office worker or time clerk.

Credit Line:

Gift of Helen Newton

Subjects:

Time clocks, Timekeeping, Clocks & watches, Railroad companies, Railroad employees, Railroad shops & yards, Railroads