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dial recorder clock

  • Images (35)

dial recorder clock

Date: circa 1914
Inventory Number: 2016-1-0046
Classification: Clock
Subject:
time keeping, time measurement,
Maker: International Time Recording Company
Place of Origin:
United States, Endicott,
Dimensions:
77.47 x 88.9 x 64.77 cm (30.5 x 35 x 25.5 in)
Material:
glass, paper, oak, brass, nickel, cast iron,
Accessories: clock key and key ring with three door keys, two L and one R
Description:
The dial time recorder consists of a clock housed in a wooden cabinet with a cast-iron wheel on the front. The wooden cabinet has two separate doors with glass windows and locks. The interior of the cabinet contains the clock mechanism, bell, and paper record. The rim of the external wheel is perforated with numbered holes from 1 to 150. The wheel itself is fixed, while the metal pointer arm rotates around the device to line up with each numbered hole.

A full description of the dial time recorder is found on a 1927 IBM document attached to this record. This document also contains information on disassembly, reassembly, timing and adjustments of dial time recorders.
In Collection(s)
  • Time Exhibit 2017
Signedon dial: INTERNATIONAL / TIME RECORDING CO. / OF NEW YORK / ENDICOT, N.Y.

on brass plaque: MANUFACTURED BY / INTERNATIONAL TIME RECORDING CO. OF N. Y. / GENERAL OFFICES 50 BROAD ST, NEW YORK CITY / WORKS, ENDICOTT, N. Y., U. S. A.

on brass plaque: PATENTED / MARCH 28, 1905 JAN 5, 1909 JULY 27, 1909 / MAY 7, 1912 NOV. 11, 1913 FEB. 4, 1913 / JULY 14, 1914 PATENTS PENDING FEB. 17, 1914

in gold paint on wood front of case: INTERNATIONAL

Inscribedon brass plaque: MODEL NO. / 6045

on brass plaque: SERIAL NO. / 286622

FunctionThe dial time recorder is an early punch clock. To use the clock, the metal pointer arm is rotated around the wheel until it reaches the correct arm. The arm is then depressed causing a bell to ring and the time to be recorded on the internal paper record, which rotates around a drum. The time can be recorded up to five times daily for each employee with this machine.
Historical AttributesFrom the 1927 data sheet: "The International Dial Recorder is used where it is desired to print the record for a number ofemployees, over a certain pay period, on one sheet of paper. This recorder is made in three sizes for 50, 100 or 150 employees and also for three different lengths of pay periods: daily, weeklyand eight day or quadri-monthly. On a daily or weekly machine, any employee may register sixtimes but on the quadri-monthly machine, the registrations are limited to four. Any dial recordermay be equipped with a two-color device which automatically prints any irregularity of theworking schedule in ink of a different color from that of the regular registrations."

This dial recorder is model no. 6045, which indicates that it is a daily recorder for 150 workers and uses two colors of ink.
Primary SourcesInternational Time Recording Company, "Dial Recorders," Engineering Data Sheet 203, 1 September 1927. online at IBM's website.
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