Mama Said Clock You Out: Factory Punch Clock, ca. 1940s

Nobody likes to be made to feel like a number, especially in the workplace.

The Industrial Age ushered in a new era of mass produced items and consequently, shift workers arrived at factories all over the country in the hundreds, ready to learn a skill.

Simplex Time Recorder Co. of Gardner, MA. was founded in the late 19th Century and made it its mission to manufacture instruments that could accurately keep track of and calculate an employee’s work day.

This example, while showing some age, still keeps great time and clicks over in 2.5 minute increments. The clock face and outer casing show some light rust spots that helps give this piece some warmth. The stainless steel punch tab functions perfectly and will print the day and time on an ordinary piece of card when inserted into the slot.