Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!
CCM Artifact Tour
Carolina Pucciarelli
Created on April 7, 2021
Over 30 million people create interactive content in Genially
Check out what others have designed:
Transcript
Carolina Pucciarelli/T.
Take a closer look at some of the Canadian Clock Museum's most interesting artifacts
A Turn Back in Time
Biography + Video
The Victrola
Biography + Quiz
The Advertisements
Biography + Video
The Rolling Ball
Biography + Fun Fact
The Old School Punch
Biography + Video
The Early Bird
Biography + Fun Fact
The 'Tramp Art'
Click on any icon in a section to explore a unique artifact or collection in the Canadian Clock Museum
Index
Carolina Pucciarelli/ T•
from decorative cigar boxes and multiple cast metal figures were used in the creation of the clock. According to curator Allan Symon's research into the clock, its movement and dial were likely taken from a mantel clock imported from Germany and sold by the Blackforest Clock Company in Toronto.
Contrary to its namesake, the Tramp Art clock is as far from poor as a regal clock can get. Created under the 'Tramp Art' Style, this one-of-a-kind clock won second prize at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto back in 1935. That same year, Sykes gave an interview to the Welland Tribune where he revealed nearly 1,000 pieces of hand-carved wood
Harry Sykes, 1934, Welland O.N
Canadian 'Tramp Art' clock honouring Britain's King George V Silver Jubilee 1910 - 1935
Biography
The 'Tramp Art'
Fun Fact
The 'Tramp Art'
A copy of Clifford A Wallach's "A Legacy in Tramp Art" on display at the Canadian Clock Museum (Carolina Pucciarelli/ T•)
Earliest records of the term can be traced back to 1959, in an article by Frances Lichten for Pensylvannia Folklife magazine. The term was used to describe art made from discarded materials put together by a pen knife. Renowned 'Tramp Art' dealer and connoisseur Clifford A. Wallach says the practice was commonly taken up by the United States' population of peripatetic people, but was not exclusive to them.
Why 'Tramp Art'?
The Pixie Alarm clock by Westclox (Allan Symons/ Canadian Clock Museum)
The Early Bird Alarm clock by Westclox (Allan Symons/ Canadian Clock Museum)
Biography
The Early Bird
Westclox
The Westclox clock company was an American manufacturer founded in 1885 who opened their first Canadian sales office in Toronto in 1912. The company produced clocks in Canada until 1980. Westclox were the makers of the Early Bird and the Pixie, but these two beautiful products were never branded as Westclox clocks. Both clocks include a 'made in Canada' label on their dials, but the Westclox name is nowhere to be found.
Early Bird catches the worm
The Early Bird is a captivating model of an animated alarm clock, a type of clock that was being made in large quantities in the early to mid 20th century in Canada and many other countries. While originally marketed towards children, the clocks are popular with all ages and have greatly increased in monetary value over the years. The Canadian Clock Museum owns a small collection of these clocks.
Carolina Pucciarelli/ T•
Video
The Early Bird
Watch the Canadian Clock Museum's founder and curator Allan Symons share the history of the Early Bird and animated alarm clocks
Carolina Pucciarelli/ T•
Biography
The Old School Punch
The punch clock on display at the Canadian Clock Museum, pictured above, was imported by the Canadian division of the Blick Time Recorders Ltd. company in Quebec. The company was found in England in 1922 and quickly established offices in Montreal and Toronto. As for how it works, employees would insert their hand written time cards in the slot in the bottom, set the clock's small horizontal lever to the correct date and time, and then push down a large vertical lever to print the necessary information on the card.
If you've ever worked a job, chances are you've either used or heard the expression, "I've got to punch in my time card." While appearing as an unecessary violent phrase in today's climate, it made perfect sense in the early 20th century. Companies of all kinds utilized employee punch clocks to keep track of their staff's hours.
Blick Time Recorders of Canada Ltd.,1920s - 1930s
A total knockout
Fun Fact
The Old School Punch
Carolina Pucciarelli/ T•
The Canadian Clock Museum has their own employee punch cards. A summer student who previously worked for the museum created the cards for fun as an accompaniment to the punch clock. Visitors of the museum can pick up their own card during a tour!
Did you know?
Carolina Puciarelli/ T•
Biography
The Rolling Ball
A true race against time
By far, one of the most intricate and confusing clocks on display at the the Canadian Clock Museum is the Rolling Ball Clock. With nothing resembling traditional clock structure, trying to figure out how this contraption works at first glance is a challenge worth trying. The original design for this model of clock was patented in 1978 in the United States. Early models, like the one at the museum, use an electric motor to operate. The Rolling Ball clock is made up of three rails, two to tell the minutes and one to tell the hour. The middle rail tells the minutes in multiples of five and the top rail shows the numbers one through four. Adding the value of the two rails together is what tells the time.
Carolina Pucciarelli/ T•
Video
The Rolling Ball
Watch the Rolling Ball Clock in action!
Carolina Pucciarelli/ T•
Biography
The Advertisements
How to promote a product and punctuality at the same time
The Canadian Clock Museum's collection of advertisement clocks are the easiest to figure out at first glance. The earliest model of advertising clocks with electric motors in Canada can be traced back to the 1920s. Most companies that produced these propaganda magnets were located in Ontario and Quebec.
"Creative without strategy is called 'art'. Creative with strategy is called 'advertising'." Jef Richards, Professor and Chair of the Department of Advertising + Public Relations at Michigan State University
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Quiz
The Advertisements
Take a quiz on what companies you think these advertising clocks are representing! For each question, select the icon above what company you think paid to have their label on a wall clock. To proceed to the quiz, click the arrow below.
How well do you know your clocks?
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Quiz Question 1/5
The Advertisements
Coca Cola
Miller Lite
Dr. Pepper
Next
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Correct!
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Quiz Question 2/5
The Advertisements
Kwik Wash
Marshall Wells Pants
Hastings Piston Rings
Next
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Correct!
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Quiz Question 3/5
The Advertisements
Fine Co-Op Dairy Products
Lucky Mist Cattle Ranchers
Babybel
Next
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Correct!
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Quiz Question 4/5
The Advertisements
Canada Dry
Canada Goose
Molson Canadian
Next
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Correct!
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Quiz Question 5/5
The Advertisements
Quaker State Motor Oil
Canada Bud Beer
Simmons Beautyrest Matresses
Next
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Correct!
Allan Symons/Canadian Clock Museum
Machine Company products were visible on the outside of their products, instead of tucked away into a sleek cabinet, being easily disguised as furniture. The top of the Victrola is a flip up lid that when opened exposes the turn table inside. The cabinet doors in the centre reveal speakers while the ones on the side were often used as storage space for a household's record collection
While most of us now defer to Spotify or Apple Music to get our tunes, Victrola was once the premier company in music listening. What looks like a breakfront is actually a record player designed by the Victor Talking Machine Company. Though founded in 1901, the company didn't start producing records players of this sort until 1906. Previously, the turn table and amplifying horn of Victor Talking
VIctrola Talking Machine, 1926
The music behind closed doors
Biography
The Victrola
Carolina Pucciarelli/ T•
Video
The Victrola
Watch Allan explain the inner workings of the Victrola and listen to the music the Victrola plays!
Source: Renfrew County Museums Network
Thanks for exploring some of what the Canadian Clock Museum has to offer. Click below to return to the index
Thank You!