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After World War II, design evolved from Art Deco and Streamline Moderne to Mid-century Modern, which reigned from the mid-1940s until the mid-1960s. No corner of the home was untouched by this new, casual, atomic-era aesthetic, including furnishings and accessories such as clocks.
The hint of timepieces to come began in the late 1930s, when the Glo-Dial Clock Corporation of Los Angeles began producing neon-illuminated clocks for business such as bars and garages. Most of these early Glo-Dials had neon behind the clock’s round frame to illuminate the dial (thus the company’s name), but later models had an additional ring of neon on the outside, too.
George Nelson was undoubtedly the most influential clock designer of the period. When he wasn’t designing furniture for Herman Miller Corporation he was working with the Howard M...
Nelson had countless imitators, from Seth Thomas to Elgin to Lux to Westclox, although for many contemporary collectors, these vintage Mid-century Modern clocks are every bit as desirable. For example, Seth Thomas made a wall clock with Roman numerals on its face and radiating metal spokes alternating with wooden fans.
Westclox also made sunbursts and starbursts, as these mid-century clocks are variously known, one of which had 48 spokes—some were made of brass and capped with wooden balls, others were solid wood and fashioned in the shape of menacing spikes. Elgin used teak and brass for its spokes, while Lux put flowers at the ends of theirs, creating so-called "atomic daisies." The faces of Lux clocks were also arresting—the dial of one design resembled a 1960s Pop Art red-and-orange bulls-eye.
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by Interviews & Articles
The Timeless Appeal of the Westclock Big and Baby Bens
How did I get interested in clocks? Something about them has always been ingrained in me. My mom’s father had a small collection o… [more]
Eames, Nelson, and the Mid-Century Modern Aesthetic
As a teenager, I collected everything from vintage bicycles to Coca-Cola to Victorian stuff. Once I realized some of this stuff co… [more]
The Care and Repair of 19th-Century American Clocks
I was working as a jewelry department manager for a department store, and I had a customer who brought a clock in for repair. I wa… [more]
Mid-Century Modern Furniture, from Marshmallow Sofas to Hans Wegner Chairs
Mid-century Modern used the technology of mass production to produce good-looking pieces of furniture out of the latest materials.… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
National Watch and Clock Museum
This virtual museum, created by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, lets you stroll through tim… [read review or visit site]
The Mid Century Modernist
Stephen Coles' really visual blog dedicated to the Modernist era of design from 1940 to 1970 (aka Mid-century Moder… [read review or visit site]
Clockhistory.com
Bill Stoddard's clock history site offers a trove of great reference information on clock and watch makers includin… [read review or visit site]
Herman Miller Consortium Collection
This website showcases several hundred pieces of furniture, held by thirteen museums, that were designed for Herman… [read review or visit site]
National Maritime Museum
Check out this sampling of nautical and maritime items held by the U.K.'s National Maritime Museum and Royal Observ… [read review or visit site]
EamesCollector.com
Steven Cabella's personal homage to Charles and Ray Eames. This site is as clean and visually appealing as the Eame… [read review or visit site]
Dan and Diana's Lux Clock Collection
Dan and Diana Lockett's amazing collection of several hundred novelty Lux clocks made by the Lux Clock Manufacturin… [read review or visit site]
Work of Charles and Ray Eames
This Library of Congress microsite is an overview of the postwar modern design work of Charles (1907-78) and Ray (1… [read review or visit site]
Detex Watchman's Clock Album
Philip Haselton's guide to watchmen's time recording equipment. Includes 19th century German portables, 20th centur… [read review or visit site]
Classic Modern
Get a taste of how homes were lit in the 50s, 60s, and 70s with the Danish retro-style lighting designs featured on… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Clocks
- Mid-Century Modern League
- National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors
- The Antiquarian Horological Society
Discussion Forums: Clocks
Other Great Reference Sites: Clocks
Top eBay Auctions
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