Grades and
Classes of Clocks
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Fred
Frick's Electric Program Clocks came in two Grades. Grade 1 and
Grade 2. The following information is taken from an advertising
brochure of Fred. Frick, MFG'R., of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
The original document is located at the Franklin Institute
Science Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Grade 1
Grade
1 clocks were many used in schools, colleges and industry were
there was a need for keeping accurate time. The brochure states
that it could be taken care of by "any one of ordinary
intelligence." The clock had a Graham dead beat escapement
and was considered a first class regulator. Among the features
stated for this grade were the durability, simplicity, precision
time keeping, ease of operation in setting and changing programs
and the ability to automatically change or silence the bells as
required. The program apparatus was independent of the regulator
and was mounted below the clock dial where it could be easily
reached to set or change the programs. The program apparatus had
it own power so the regulator was not impaired in its ability to
keep acurate time. There were two classes of clocks that made up
the Grade 1 offering: Class A and Class
B.
Class A
Clocks
These
clocks were also called Multa-Program Clocks, could have a
different program or series of bells rung in different
buildings or rooms. The programs set up on these clocks would
be completely independent of each other so that classes could
begin and end in different parts of a school at different
times as needed. Different bells or sets of bells would be
placed in the areas where they would be heard.
An
automatic "cut-out" would silence the bells at night
or on the weekends. But, the clock's program could be set to
silence the bells on any day or night of the week as needed.
If the purchaser desired they could receive a hand
"cut-out" which was used manually and had to be
moved every morning and evening in order to silence the bells.
The manual version could be placed in each teacher's room in a
school if desired. In addition to the classroom or inside
bells, this clock could ring large gongs on a play ground or
outside area. The outside bells were set and worked
independently from those which rang inside.
The
programs which could be set up on these clocks would ring
bells on any time period divisible by 5.
Class B
clocks
These
clocks were also called the Automatic Calendar Switch Clock,
was used in colleges and other businesses where programs for
some days and nights of the week were different from other
days and nights. Programs could be set up independent of each
other for any time period divisible by 5. The programs could
be changed whenever the user desired and the changes would not
affect any other set program. Saturdays and Sundays could be
set up differently from days during the week as well. A hand
switch could be furnished instead of the automatic switch. The
hand switch had to be moved every day in order to keep the
program advancing to the next day's settings.
For
an additional cost both Class A and Class B clocks could be
set up to ring bells on a time period divisible by 2 and
one-half minutes so that warning signals before or after any
given time could be added to the programs.
Grade
1 clocks came in key or self-winding versions. There was an
extra charge for the self-winding.
Grade
1 clocks could be made to run one or more secondary clocks if
needed.
Grade
1 clock cases came in two sizes, 78 inches with the seconds
beat regulator or 52 inches fitted with the 80 beat regulator.
All cases were solid, polished antique oak unless they were
ordered in another finish.
Grade 2 Clocks
Details
regarding Grade 2 Clocks were not given in the brochure. The
only indication of them was in a final comment, "If
interested in a cheaper grade Program Clock, write for circular
and prices on Grade 2 Program Clock."
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