Post by Dabeagle on Apr 4, 2021 0:15:06 GMT -5
Some folks may recall that I used to restore old Telechron/GE clocks. You may not be aware of this, but you owe a big debt of convenience to these clocks.
At one time, before a national power grid was a thought, each power company ran at their own cycles/Hertz - some were 30, 45, 50. Lights didn't care, but things like appliances did. Companies couldn't develop, market and sell appliances for the nation because of the power issue. Enter Henry Warren, who created a synchronous motor (usually called a rotor) that would keep perfect time if power were at 60hz. Hard to convince the power companies that having an electric clock was reason enough to watch their cycles more closely. Henry Warren then developed the Master Clock, which was sold to Boston Edison. It had three dials - one that kept time, and one that had only two hands that, if in perfect unison, meant the generators were putting out 60hz. If they weren't aligned, then they knew they had to adjust there output to get to 60hz. The thirds dial was a backup for the twin-handed dial. Boston Edison likely had some shares in appliances, and GE owned a 49% stake in the Warren Telechron company, and by selling the master clocks we ended up with a national power grid where the vacuum you use din Denver could be used in New York or San Diego.
But one thing I realized the other day. You see Henry Warren also saw the wisdom in naming the clocks - not just giving them a model number, but names to personalize them. May I introduce the 4H87 Kirkwood - yes, the surname of one of Sanitaria Springs' leading families.
If you pick up a clock at a flea market or yard sale, drop me a line - I may buy it from you!
If you want one I have fixed up, you can find me on Ebay: Here's al ink to a little alarm clock called the Serenade, you can just look at the other things I have - only three right now, but I'm fixing clocks. I have too many! (Yes, I'm aware I just asked for more, too)
