Simplex Time Recorders

[Faulkner]

In my younger days right out of college I worked for Simplex Time Recorder Company as a technician. At the time the company was one of the largest companies on the country that was owned by one man, and he was the grandson of the inventor of the first practical time clock.

The time clock has pretty much gone the way of the buggy whip, but I was able to acquire several very nice examples of working Simplex time recorders before the company was sold to a corporate conglomerate in 2001. I find these clocks to be a marvel in engineering and many of them operated for decades requiring only routine maintenance.

Here is a 1940's era time clock that I acquired. The type section is mostly brass and in mint condition and is fully operational. It keeps perfect time with its dual spring operation.

This is a late 1960's era time clock that was unissued and still in the crate when I acquired it. The type section on this one is all steal and it also keeps perfect time with it's dual spring operation and they don't require any power to operate. Both of these have the gong option so that it rings when you punch out . . . alerting the supervisor that someone has arrived late or is leaving early.

 

[redlevel]

Did this company possibly make the clock I carried around from station to station and punched with a key when I worked for Pinkerton as a plant guard back in the 70s? Seems like I remember the name. It was a fairly heavy, round affair in a leather case with a strap on it. Supposedly, there was a recording drum inside it that the head-guard was supposed to change out periodically, and check to make sure the night guards were "making their appointed rounds."

 

[bobelk99]

Did this company possibly make the clock I carried around from station to station and punched with a key when I worked for Pinkerton as a plant guard back in the 70s? Seems like I remember the name. It was a fairly heavy, round affair in a leather case with a strap on it. Supposedly, there was a recording drum inside it that the head-guard was supposed to change out periodically, and check to make sure the night guards were "making their appointed rounds."

Careful you don't show your experience level (age) on this one. I carried a watch clock as described in the early 60s.

 

[shouldazagged]

Careful you don't show your experience level (age) on this one. I carried a watch clock as described in the early 60s.

I had to carry a sundial and a carbide lamp. Those were the days.

 

[Faulkner]

Did this company possibly make the clock I carried around from station to station and punched with a key when I worked for Pinkerton as a plant guard back in the 70s? Seems like I remember the name. It was a fairly heavy, round affair in a leather case with a strap on it. Supposedly, there was a recording drum inside it that the head-guard was supposed to change out periodically, and check to make sure the night guards were "making their appointed rounds."

Simplex did make those, they were used a lot in the northeast, in the automotive industry plants, and out in California. I have one of the watch clocks in a box somewhere but I don't have the keys for the tour.

 

[Onomea]

I used to punch a clock with a time card. Haven't thought about that in years. Yours are much nicer than the one I used to use.