Keeping Time for Nearly 200 Years with Seth Thomas Clocks

The Seth Thomas Clock Company began its history in 1810. Seth Thomas, a clockmaker from Wolcott, Connecticut, founded the company. Thomas had been apprenticed to Eli Terry, another clockmaker. In 1810, Thomas and Silas Hoadley bought out Terry’s clock business. They began manufacturing clocks in Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut.

Starting Out

The Seth Thomas Clock Company was one of the first companies to mass-produce clocks. Thomas used new techniques and machinery to produce clocks more efficiently, and he was able to sell his clocks at a lower price than his competitors. As a result, the Seth Thomas Clock Company became one of the largest clockmakers in the United States.

The company produced a wide variety of clocks, including tall clocks, shelf clocks, mantel clocks, and wall clocks. They also manufactured tower clocks, which were used in churches, schools, and other public buildings. Later, The Seth Thomas Clock Company was also one of the first companies to produce electric clocks.

Changing Technology

In the early 19th century, pendulum clocks were the most accurate way to keep time. The Seth Thomas Clock Company produced a wide variety of pendulum clocks, and these clocks were very popular. However, pendulum clocks did not travel well, and they were not very reliable in cold weather.

In the late 19th century, spring-driven clocks became more popular. Spring-driven clocks were more portable than pendulum clocks and more reliable in cold weather. The Seth Thomas Clock Company produced a wide variety of spring-driven clocks, which sold well.

In the early 20th century, electric clocks became available. Electric clocks were more accurate and reliable than spring-driven clocks. The Seth Thomas Clock Company produced a wide variety of electric clocks, which were very popular.

The changing technologies for keeping time affected the Seth Thomas Clock Company in a number of ways. First, the company had to adapt its manufacturing processes to accommodate the new technologies. Second, the company had to compete with other companies that were using the new technologies. Third, the company had to change its marketing strategies to appeal to customers who were interested in the new technologies.

The Seth Thomas Clock Company was able to adapt to the changing technologies for keeping time, and the company remained a major player in the clock industry for many years. However, eventually time ran out for the Seth Thomas brand, and the company went out of business in 2009.

Adapting with Many Products

The company continued to grow and prosper throughout the 19th century. By the end of the century, the company was employing over 1,000 people and was producing over 100,000 clocks per year.

The Seth Thomas Clock Company was a major force in the American clock industry for nearly 200 years. The company’s clocks are still valuable today.

Here are some of the most notable clocks that came from the Seth Thomas Clock Company:

The Seth Thomas Model 1840, a tall clock that was one of the company’s most popular models.
Model 1876, a mantel clock featuring high quality and beautiful design.
Seth Thomas Model 1910, an electric clock that was an early mass-produced electric clock.
Model 1920, a tower clock that graced Grand Central Station in New York City.

Company Milestones

Seth Thomas founded The Seth Thomas Clock Company , but it passed out of his family’s control in the early 20th century.

In 1916, the company sold itself to the General Time Instruments Corporation. General Time was a holding company that owned several other clockmaking companies, including the Westclox Clock Company.

In 1968, General Time joined Talley Industries. Talley was a conglomerate that owned a variety of businesses, including clockmaking, electronics, and manufacturing.

In 2001, Talley sold the Seth Thomas Clock Company to the Colibri Group. The Colibri Group was a private equity firm that owned several other consumer brands, including Colibri lighters and Linden watches.

In 2009, after The Seth Thomas Clock Company faced increasing competition from foreign clockmakers, the Seth Thomas Clock Company went out of business.