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Darche Searchlight Electric Alarm & Call Clock

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    Posted 7 years ago

    pw-collector
    (297 items)

    This is one of the first electric alarm clocks (electric meaning operated by a dry battery).
    Patented Mar. 19, 1889, Jan. 29, 1901 (noted on the back plate of the clock).
    Manufactured by the Darche Mfg. Co., 2117 S. Halsted St. Chicago, Ill. (noted on dial).
    With this clock when purchased, was included a braided cord with a pear shaped bulb & call button (regretfully I do not have). The button at the end of the bulb, could be pressed, and it would sound the alarm bell to call someone (a nurse) into your sick room. Squeezing the bulb would also turn on the light below the dial to illuminate the dial if the room was dark.
    Looking at the back of the battery compartment are two contact points to attach the ends of the braided wires to, left side is for the light and right side is for the call bell.
    Below the contacts is marked:
    "SEARCHLIGHT"
    (trade Mark Registered)
    ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCK
    PAT. APPLIED FOR
    The advertisement is circa 1901.
    Thanks for looking,
    Dave

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    Comments

    1. pw-collector pw-collector, 7 years ago
      Thanks for the appreciation:
      rniederman
      Manikin
      Anik
      iggy
      vetraio50

    2. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Now, that's just fascinating Dave!! And still looks amazing for it's age.
    3. SpiritBear, 7 years ago
      Man, it was expensive. I bet the battery was sold separately, too!
    4. betweenthelens betweenthelens, 7 years ago
      Incredible, historical piece. Really awesome!
    5. pw-collector pw-collector, 7 years ago
      Thanks for the appreciation & comments:
      jscott0363: I have been looking for an original cord for about 15 years.
      SpiritBear: for that price I hope the battery was included.
      AnythingObscure
      fortapache
      AnnaB
      Officialfuel
      mikelv85
      Caperkid
      betweenthelens: thanks for the comment.
    6. buckethead, 7 years ago
      Interesting piece!
    7. pw-collector pw-collector, 7 years ago
      Thanks for the appreciation:
      Manikin
      gargoylecollector
      buckethead
    8. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 7 years ago
      Looks like a bloody bomb !
    9. pw-collector pw-collector, 7 years ago
      Thanks for the appreciation:
      oroyoroyisthatyourhorse
      freon
      RonM
    10. pw-collector pw-collector, 7 years ago
      BB2, maybe it's a good thing I haven't found a battery and call button/cord/ charge-button. It might blow-up. Thanks for the appreciation & comment. Always great to hear from you.
    11. pw-collector pw-collector, 7 years ago
      Thanks Wandlessfairy for the appreciation.
    12. pw-collector pw-collector, 7 years ago
      Thanks Recordmantime for the appreciation.
    13. pw-collector pw-collector, 7 years ago
      Thanks again mikelv85 for the appreciation.

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