Notes on the Western Union Telegraph Clock

[Rohit Khare]

[In my search for the opposite-of-decentralized systems, I've been 
fascinated by the fact that well into the 20th century, Western Union 
ran a totally integrated clock network that reached into every shop, 
station, factory, or bank of any note. In my view, it's a 
continent-sized unitary machine with a 1/day escapement. The sheer 
ceremony of the halting of the Nation's data flow and the relaying of 
the "time ball" dropping on the Naval Observatory in DC and racing 
across the Western Union Co.'s nervous system.

I've heard these clocks were supported well past WWII into the '50s. It 
turns out the very notion of "time as a product," to be bought and 
sold, has been lost on us moderns. But "Selling the True Time" was a 
centuries-long struggle to rationalize, as pretty much one of the only 
books on the subject is entitled. -- RK]

[PS. in violation of the FoRK Commandments, I've forgotten whatever URL 
this info may have originated in. Sigh.]

This arrangement prevents accidental cross on the synchronizing line 
from the disturbing the hands during the hour. This diagram, besides 
showing the synchronizing arrangement gives a good idea of the great 
simplicity of the self-winding clock.

The system which is thus illustrated in this exhibit of the 
Self-Winding Clock Company is an accurate representation of the system 
developed by them in connection with the Western Union Telegraph 
Company for a uniform time service and which in extent, embraces the 
whole of the United States.

They now have over 15,000 of their clocks in curcuit, which are 
synchronized daily by the telegraphic time signals from the service of 
the United States Naval Observatory at Washington D.C. These clocks are 
either sold or rented.

The Western Union Telegraph Company daily forwards this time signal to 
every part of the country. Three minutes before noon, all general 
business is stopped and direct communication made with the Capitol. 
Precisely at tweleve o'clock a single electric impulse announces the 
time all the way to the Pacific Coast. The cost of this service is one 
dollar per month per clock. This places standard time within the reach 
of everybody.

Public and private buildings, jewelers, banks, commercial institutions, 
factories, railroads and schools have the most accurate time available.

The Western Union Co. is able to supply Master Clocks manufactured by 
the Self-Winding Clock Co. These clocks can opperate many additional 
clocks within its own company. Special clocks can also be ordered which 
have the ability to ring bells for schools or factories during the work 
period.