Rochester Time Recorder manufactured by International Time Recording Company (ITR) of Binghamton, New York, U.S.A. 213044.

As a rule, clocks developed to track time and attendance are generally unattractive. This clock is certainly the exception to the rule. The vast majority of clocks that fall into this category were constructed to be durable and, in keeping with this theme, offered simple case lines. They were boxes. This example is nicely designed, having elements that include various applied moldings, applied decorative carvings, applied decorative castings, and an overall generally pleasing visual appeal. This case is constructed in oak and is finished in a lovely honey coloring. That may be the main reason why this example survives today.

It is unusual to find such an attractive example. It is in good overall condition. The time-only movement is brass, powered by two large steel coil springs, and runs eight days fully wound. The works are mounted to a large cast iron bracket fastened to the backboard. A third winding arbor is located at about 10:45 on the time ring of the dial. This is a winder that powers the day of the week dial. The day of the week is displayed through a window below the Roman hour numeral XII. The main movement also powers the lower time tracking mechanism located at the bottom of the case. A steel shaft or PTO achieves this transfer of power. This shaft can be seen through the glass door in the center of the case. This glass retains the Company’s original graphics. It reads, “Rochester / Time Recorder / Patd. Oct. 30-94. / Manufactured by / International Time Recording Company, / Binghamton, N.Y. U.S.A.” This original graphic is in excellent condition. One can also view the pendulum bob through he glass in this location.

This solid oak case was made circa 1902. It measures approximately 54 inches long, 17.5 inches wide and 7.75 inches deep.

In the process of selling time and attendance clocks in general, the competition would often come in and replace existing clocks that may or may not have been in disrepair with examples of their own manufacture. As a result, those clocks scheduled to be replaced were often destroyed or altered so that they could not be repaired. They did not want their competitor’s clocks to be resurrected to perform the task they were originally designed to do. This strategic philosophy perpetuated their business.

Time recording companies can and went. The graphics found on the glass of this example help date the clock's production. This unusual example was made about 1902 or shortly after ITR bought out Frick and Rochester in 1902.

The Rochester Time Recorder was the trade name used by the Willard & Frick MFG. Co., to market the Cooper Time Recorder or the Workman’s Time Recorder. This was an invention that Daniel Cooper patented on October 30, 1894. It was one of the first paper time card clocks. It was considered by many to be a superior process of time recording compared to the other options available at that current time. In 1900, they merged with and became the International Time Recording Company in Binghamton, New York. The International Time Recording Company’s business office was located at 50 Broad Street in Endicott, New York, between 1901 and 1924. During this time period, this firm continuously expanded its product line, underwent several reorganizations and name changes, and emerged in 1924 as the International Business Machine Corporation, familiar today as IBM. Some of the companies it acquired include the Chicago Time Register Company, Day Time Register Company, The Syracuse Time Recording Company, Bundy, Willard & Frick, and Standard.

This clock was used as a time clock in a workplace environment of some kind. As one entered and exited the workplace, they would be required to punch the clock by inserting their personal time card in the slot below the glass door. By depressing the lever at the bottom of the case on the right, one would record or imprint the time of this action on the card. An accountant would collect the cards and tally the hours worked at the end of a week. One would be paid accordingly.

As many businesses became larger and wages more competitive, a worker’s attendance record became very important to their employer. As a result, time clocks were introduced to this environment to help track one’s punctuality. Workers were then paid based on the number of hours they had logged in. This became the expected behavior toward the end of the 19th century. This is a result of the shift from self-employment towards working for others. With this change came the advent of cost accounting. In other words, analyzing and scrutinizing expenses such as labor, materials, and overhead. Time was money. By approximately 1915, nearly every industrial workplace and office had a time clock. By the early twentieth century, several companies, like the International Time Recording Company, supplied an entire line of timekeeping devices, including master clocks and their slaves, various models of time clocks, and time stamps.

Inventory number 213044.