Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-04

From the New Haven Palladium.
The invention OF the clock was of gradual
growth. First wheel and index were attached
to the clepsydra Then weights were substi-
.tuted for running water, and 1000 years after
the opening of the Christian era crude escape
ment movement was invented. From this SIM
pie arrangement the simple, yet accurate move
ments Of the present day have been developed.
In 1907 Eli Terry, of Plymouth, in this state,
who was manufacturing clocks in small way.
set himself about the herculean task of making
200 clocks. People deemed him crazy, and de-
cared that he would never live to finish the
task, and If he did he could never dispose of
such large number of clocks. Last year the
New Haven Clock company delivered from
their factory more than 500, 600 finished clocks
Chauncey Jerome, who may fairly be regarded
as the father Of the clock manufacture in this
state. was pupil of Terry. and Of him learned
the business. In those days a good clock in
Guiding case. could be bought tor $40. To-day
can be purchased for IS, and for even less
sum.
Eli Terry at first made only wooden clocks.
and these by hand, laboriousy cutting out the
wheels and teeth with saw and jackknie
He would make two or three trips a wear to
New York city and state. CARRYING with him
three or four clocks on each trip, which he
would sell and return. He received tor these
about $50 each, without cases. Later he pur-
chased small building and introduced ma
chnery, which was regarded as a great innova-
ton and OF doubtful expedency. It was at this
time that he started upon his plan of making
2OO clocks, which excited so much rdicule.
few years later Mr. Terry disposed of his bust
nessto Seth Thomas and Silas Hoadley, who
were formerly in his employ. Other manu.
factories sprang up. and competition soon re-
duced the cost of clocks, and resulted also in
the making of valuable improvements. In 1914
Eli Terry made the first shelf clock which pro-
duced revolution in the manufacture of clocks,
and the Old-fashoned 'hang up clocks fell into
disuse. A little later the circular saw was in
troduced into the clock manufactures and was
regarded as great curiosity. Chauncey
Jerome, when his time of service with Eli
Terry expired, commenced the manufacture of
clocks in small way. He had been discour-
aged from attempting to learn the business
at the outset by an elderly man who ex-
pressed the opinion that there were so many
CLOCKS making that the country would soon be
flooded with them, and that the business would
be good for nothing In two or three years. To-
day the New Haven Clock company, which Is
the outcome Of Mr. JerOme's enterprise is send
ing CLOCKS to every quarter of the globe not ex-
ceptlng Australia, India and japan. The young
man, for such he was then, was diligent at his
business, and CONSEQUENTLY prosperous. He
soon invented ANEW style Of clock, which was
attractive in appearance and commanded a
ready sale, and in 1925 was selling them
throughout the country, many going to the
south. From this point the history of the manu.
facture of clocks is one OF daily Increase The
demand soon came for a low-priced twenty-four
hour clock. Heretofore such clocks had been
made of wood, while eight-day clocks had been
made of brass Mr.. Jerome supplied the need
with brass twenty -four hour clock, which
met the popular demand, and of which mil
lions We're sold
To follow the many improvements which have
been made in time-pieces during the last
nfvyR
S Ws cog We years %o1id oe dlSult task
"hang-up" clock and compare it with the mag
nifcent pieces Of workmanship which are seen
in every house and every workshop to-day