Electrifying Time by Jim Linz (2001, Paperback)

Collecting Telechron clocks has become a fairly popular hobby. One understands why: Telechron was one of those companies which, in the "good old days," industrially manufactured quality goods that were meant to last. Telechron, in fact, made electric clocks. These were not produced in China but in Ashland, Massachusetts, with real brass movements and well-oiled rotors. Most of these clocks, even the earliest models from the 1920s, still run now. If not, they can be repaired relatively easily. What sets Telechron apart even more is the fact that the company attempted to implement the program of the art deco movement: to combine industrial production with outstanding design. Therefore, many Telechron clocks are genuine pieces of art. Because they were mass-produced, however, they were (and are) relatively cheap. Most Telechrons sell on Ebay for between 20 and 50 dollars.
Jim Linz's book contains (almost) everything the Telechron collector wants to know. It discusses Henry Warren's invention of the synchronous rotor and, just as importantly, of the "master clock." The Warren master clocks were installed in power plants throughout the US in order to keep the current at a constant fluctuation of 60 Hz, so that (among other things) Warren's electric clocks would keep correct time! Linz then describes the history of Warren's company, Telechron, and offers an overview of the main designers who worked for Telechron through the decades. Most of the book, however, is devoted to detailed descriptions and photos of the many different clocks that Telechron produced between 1925 and 1955. The photos give the reader an excellent idea of the history of American design in these three decades. Each clock is listed with its original price and the number of units sold. Illustrations of old Telechron ads are thrown in as well. At the end, there are some excellent tips on how to repair old Telechrons. (Hint: The main trick is how to get oil into the old and often dried-out rotors.)
This is a very fine book, of great interest to a wide range of readers: from collectors of Telechrons to students of the art deco movement and of the history of time-keeping.

For one who appreciates the more amazing technical advances that were seen in the days when I was a child, this is an essential resource. Jim Linz covers the period in the early years of the 20th century when time was kept only by mechanical means and the use of electricity was only for lighting purposes. The first electric clocks (even those designed by Henry Warren) used clumsy, heavy batteries. The real genius came when Henry Warren found that by harnessing the dependability of Alternating Current with the power of electricity he could make a synchronous motor for a clock movement that was awesomely accurate. This is where the Warren Clock company of Ashland Mass. came into being (later Telekron and later still, Telechron). The book's real value, however is in picturing and describing nearly every clock made by the company (and GE, later to become the parent). My copy is only a few days old and I have nearly worn out the index pages that list all the clocks and the page where it is displayed. The index also lists the value of every clock in decent condition. Every time a new Telechron clock appears in eBay listings that I don't recognize, I will have Linz's book as a ready resource.

There is also a section that goes through certain procedures for resurrecting Telechron rotors and clockworks that are less than dependable or even seemingly dead. Most of these procedures are excellent (I particularly wish I had read it before trying to fix clock faces on a few of the clocks I have). But some suggestions on fixing a dead rotor are a bit less useful. (For that, silverdollar.com is probably a better resource - they also sell an excellent cleaning/lubricating kit for the job).

In summary, Electrifying Time by Jim Linz is an excellent encyclopedia of knowledge containing everything you need to know about the Telechron/GE electric clocks of the very early to mid 20th century. Another resource is telechrontime.net which is a web site where you can also find almost every Telechron/GE clock in excellent photographic detail. The site also contains a user Forum for you to share your Telechron stories with other people.