Images(3)

Clock, Alarm

Object number2015.46.1

ManufacturerPossibly Warren Telechron Company

Manufacturer General Electric Company

Date1939-1945

OriginAshland, MA

MediumPlastic/Bakelite?/Metal/Paper/Fabric/Rubber/Felt/Adhesive/Brass?

Credit LineGift of Denise Schram

DescriptionWorld War II (WWII) era war alarm clock. Off-white plastic body with rounded top and art deco style detail along the bottom. Round convex clear plastic window on the front with brown border; behind the window is the clock face. Black rubber cord extends out of back at bottom which ends in a two-pronged plug.Dimensions4.375 x 4.188 x 3 in. (11.1 x 10.6 x 7.6 cm)
InscriptionsClock face has numerals 1-12 around the perimeter and the numerals 1-12 around a dial at center; below the dial is printed text "WAR ALARM".

Next to the middle-sized knob (bottom left) is raised text "ALARM" and next to the largest knob (bottom right) is raised text "TIME"; underneath each of these knobs is an arched arrow pointing to the left.

Raised text at the bottom center of the clock back is inside a circle: around the perimeter is "OPA MAXIMUM PRICE U.S.A." and in the center is "$4.95 / EX. TAX", likely meaning excluding tax.
MarksClock face has below perimeter numeral "6" is text "MADE IN ASHLAND, MASS. U.S.A."

Cord has two-pronged plug embossed with "GE" logo on the exterior of each prong.

Back of clock has raised text "MODEL NO. 2 WAR ALARM / VOLTS 100/125 CYC. 60 W.2 / UNITED STATES PATENTS 1768386 2002421 2002433 / ALARM / ON-PULL OUT / OFF-PUSH IN".

Historical NotesWWII-era war alarm clock most likely used by the donor Denise Schram's mother, Margaret Runge Schram. War alarm clocks were made with non-essential war materials, were sold at a cheap rate, and were not allowed to have a company or brand name attached. They were considered essential to keep producing during the war so that people could get to their war production jobs on time. Margaret worked at the Shippley-Massingham Drug Warehouse on Baum Blvd during the war and she lived in Lawrenceville. She met her future husband, Raymond Schram, during a blackout in Lawrenceville, and they were engaged within five days. He was stationed in Saipan and was a driver in the U.S. Army.

Previous owner Margaret Runge Schram

Related person Ray Schram

Related institution Shippley-Massingham Drug Warehouse

Related institution United States Army

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