Showing posts with label Westclox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Westclox. Show all posts
Students Build Timepieces
From Horology magazine, October, 1938
Students Build Timepieces
W. H. Samelius, director of the Elgin Watchmakers College believes that a student of horology should be able to design and make a complete timepiece, since such knowledge is an asset in performing everyday repair work.
Many students take advantage of the mechanical drawing classes which are conducted at the Elgin Watchmakers College to plan and build complete instruments, in addition to the regular course of horological study. A number of other students have used the experience and knowledge gained at the college to make some outstanding pieces long after leaving the school.
Students Build Timepieces
Many students take advantage of the mechanical drawing classes which are conducted at the Elgin Watchmakers College to plan and build complete instruments, in addition to the regular course of horological study. A number of other students have used the experience and knowledge gained at the college to make some outstanding pieces long after leaving the school.
Elgin Watchmakers' College Student Work
It's hard to take a really good photo of this, with my phone at least, but I got a piece of student work done by my Grandfather, Everett Sexton. mounted and framed. It turned out really well.
This was done at the Elgin Watchmakers' College, it is signed, approved, by William Samelius, 1936.
This was done at the Elgin Watchmakers' College, it is signed, approved, by William Samelius, 1936.
Horologists Visit Elgin Factory
From Horology magazine, October1939
Horologists Visit Elgin Factory
A group of twenty-seven watchmakers, all members of the Chicago Horological Association, gathered early the morning of August 23, in the Chicago offices of the Elgin Company where they were greeted by Howard D. Schaeffer, vice-president. In a chartered bus the visitors were taken to Elgin where they spent the day going through various departments of the plant and the Elgin Watchmakers' College.
The group was entertained at lunch at the Elgin Country Club with James G. Shennan, factory superintendent, as host.
H. W. Johnson, Chicago, Ill.; K. Hedin, Chicago, Ill.; J. B. Spaulding, Chicago, Ill.; Erwin H. Camp, Chicago, II.; J. F. Macke, Chicago, Ill.; Paul C. Elder, Chicago, Ill.; J. Thomas Harley, Chicago, Ill.; Fred Attermeyer, Chicago, III.; Julius Adams, Chicago, Ill.; Herman Krel Evanston, Ill.; L. G. Albert, Chicago, Ill.; Steve V. Pappas, Elgin, Ill.; C. J. Bellanger, Chicago, Ill.; Alfred Schierer, Chicago, Ill.; A. H. Willnow, Chicago, Ill.; A. H. Gustafson, Chicago, Ill.; C. E. Bromund, Chicago, Ill.; Frank Jacobs, Chicago, Ill.; Karl Kneisel, Wheaton, Ill.; L. E. Harlan, Chicago, Ill.; Jack H. Lund, Chicago, Ill.; O. L. Walker, Chicago, Ill.; Irving G. Jensen, Chicago, Ill.; James A. Hall, Chicago, Ill.; Carl H. Ander, Chicago, Ill.; Ralph Bersat, Glen Ellyn, Ill.; and Bernard Fanchi. Chicago, Ill.
Women Watchmakers at Elgin, 1946
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| From Elgin National Watch Co |
"Because women are patient, artistic and have a delicate touch, the Elgin National Watch Company is encouraging the employment of women workers in their factory here. Although the company's production force is predominately women, it relies on expert male watchmakers to do technical work on fine watches. If the present employment drive is successful, the company expects to step up its production schedule 1,000 units a day within three months. Elgin officials estimate that this could be increased to 2,000 watches daily within six months. The company attempts to maintain a normal ratio of 54 per cent women watchmakers. Officials point out that the added force of women would create 500 additional production jobs for men.
"Here Elinor Ridgell, of Waldo, Florida, student at the Elgin Watchmakers' College in this city, is shown at the jeweler's desk working on a wrist watch."
The photo is dates August 2, 1946.
William Samelius
William Samelius was one of the most significant watchmakers that we have ever seen, he was also my Grandfather's teacher. Samelius was referred to as The Dean of American Watchmakers, because he ran the Elgin Watch College for many years.
William Samelius took a special interest in my Grandfather because of his aptitude for watchmaking, and because of a funny story which I'll get to another time. But the point is that Samelius was a great teacher and made an impression on my Grandfather, Everett Sexton, that lasted a lifetime. My Grandfather would invoke the name of the master to make an impression on me. He would say when inspecting my work, for example, "Well I think you've done great, but Samelius would say you were too generous with the oil on the forth wheel."
When I learned how to do something, I was told how Samelius said to do it, from hand finishing the points of screwdrivers to lathe work. My Grandfather is gone now, but I feel very fortunate to have had this connection. Today, William Samelius is largely forgotten, even though he was once a household word.
I have lately exchanged some email with the decedents of the Samelius family. They have generously provided me with some information that I can put on line to inform about the master watchmaker. I'm not sure when I'll get to all that, but here are a couple of photos...
Find more about William Samelius here...
Elgin Class Visits Westclox, 1938
I was sent these two photos by a gentleman whose father is show here. These pictures show a class of the Elgin watchmakers' College visiting the Westclox "Big Ben" factory in Peru, IL, in 1938.
My Grandfather spoke of taking the same field trip in 1936.
My Grandfather spoke of taking the same field trip in 1936.
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