Comments on: Clocks, backward in time http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 09:01:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574839 niktemadur Tue, 06 Nov 2012 01:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574839 Stroke of design genius:  keep the button, but ditch the "E" and replace it with "Panic". Stroke of design genius:  keep the button, but ditch the “E” and replace it with “Panic”.

]]> By: Chris Pilla http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574819 Chris Pilla Tue, 06 Nov 2012 01:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574819 I had one, too - it got me through college. Dead easy to set, and who didn't love real plastic woodgrain? Mine finally had an unrecoverable error about 10 years ago. I had one, too – it got me through college. Dead easy to set, and who didn’t love real plastic woodgrain? Mine finally had an unrecoverable error about 10 years ago.

]]> By: Mike Davis http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574476 Mike Davis Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574476 I had this clock radio when I was a kid. The buttons got where they wouldn't function properly. I listened to many a Dr. Demento on it though. Now I'm mad I threw it away. I had this clock radio when I was a kid. The buttons got where they wouldn’t function properly. I listened to many a Dr. Demento on it though. Now I’m mad I threw it away.

]]> By: Guysmiley http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574404 Guysmiley Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574404 1. Yes. 2. Buttons are expensive. They can shave a tenth of a percent off their manufacturing cost and all that money is profit right in their pocket, baby. It sounds stupid but it's how consumer electronics manufacturers think. 1. Yes.

2. Buttons are expensive. They can shave a tenth of a percent off their manufacturing cost and all that money is profit right in their pocket, baby. It sounds stupid but it’s how consumer electronics manufacturers think.

]]> By: Jaan http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574333 Jaan Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574333 Personally, because I like having a little time to myself before I go to work.  I also have very bad sleep apnea, I never know how well I'm going to sleep.  If I slept well, I'll get up and take some time to myself before going to work, if not, the extra hour sleep helps. Personally, because I like having a little time to myself before I go to work.  I also have very bad sleep apnea, I never know how well I’m going to sleep.  If I slept well, I’ll get up and take some time to myself before going to work, if not, the extra hour sleep helps.

]]> By: Jaan http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574330 Jaan Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574330  All the clocks I ever had had a buzzer as the second alarm.  Waking up with a buzzer is a horrible experience for me.  All the clocks I ever had had a buzzer as the second alarm.  Waking up with a buzzer is a horrible experience for me.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574112 niktemadur Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574112 <i>Music on AM and faux woodgrain</i> Inextricable, aren't they? "Adult contemporary radio".  The alarm radio switches on during the news break/traffic report, the DJ takes the mic and says something you don't pay attention to, then something like this comes on... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gutSCU4-3Q Music on AM and faux woodgrain

Inextricable, aren’t they? “Adult contemporary radio”.  The alarm radio switches on during the news break/traffic report, the DJ takes the mic and says something you don’t pay attention to, then something like this comes on…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gutSCU4-3Q

]]> By: chris coreline http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574097 chris coreline Mon, 05 Nov 2012 08:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574097  *sigh* the golden age really is over.  *sigh*
the golden age really is over.

]]> By: billstewart http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574091 billstewart Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574091 Sigh - I miss clock radios, and prefer that approach to waking up gradually, but I haven't had one since college.  (My wife hates the things, even when she is getting up before I am.) On the other hand, there are all sorts of new alarm systems that track your sleep cycle and wake you up when you're at a state that you're close enough to awake that it's less disruptive.  Smartphone apps using accelerometers are one approach, and then there's the Zeo sleep monitor that tracks brain waves using a headband, which can give you a lot more information about your sleep patterns. Sigh – I miss clock radios, and prefer that approach to waking up gradually, but I haven’t had one since college.  (My wife hates the things, even when she is getting up before I am.)

On the other hand, there are all sorts of new alarm systems that track your sleep cycle and wake you up when you’re at a state that you’re close enough to awake that it’s less disruptive.  Smartphone apps using accelerometers are one approach, and then there’s the Zeo sleep monitor that tracks brain waves using a headband, which can give you a lot more information about your sleep patterns.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574090 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 05 Nov 2012 06:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574090 I grew up in the same town as the Telechron factory.  Telechron clocks are highly collectible.  As an adult, I've owned the Windsor (the gothic one), the Angelus (bakelite) and the Embassy (the round wooden one). We also had a dozen or so plastic or bakelite, squarish, roundish, ovalish, hexagonal or amoeboid clocks in pink, plaid or other dubious decorative options when I was a child.  Not to mention a wall clock over the fireplace that looked like the diamond-shaped one pictured, only with three overlapping diamonds. The original marketing spiel for the Embassy:<blockquote><b>An Electric Alarm with a Colonial Accent</b> So gay, in its quaint New England way... so very different from the usual electric alarm... Embassy's as refreshing as a Cape Cod breeze, as rich as "Down East" tradition. It has a mellow maple finish, an intriguing bowl shape... and brings you the electric time you can depend on to be right to the minute for years. It's a silent alarm clock that lets you sleep... there's never a tick to test your slumber. And its on-the-dot alarm keeps on ringing until you wake up and stop it. Of course, Embassy never needs winding, oiling or regulating, and has the self-starting motor that has long been making a name for Telechron as the world's top favorite in electric alarms. See Embassy and other smart models at your Telechron dealer.</blockquote> I grew up in the same town as the Telechron factory.  Telechron clocks are highly collectible.  As an adult, I’ve owned the Windsor (the gothic one), the Angelus (bakelite) and the Embassy (the round wooden one).

We also had a dozen or so plastic or bakelite, squarish, roundish, ovalish, hexagonal or amoeboid clocks in pink, plaid or other dubious decorative options when I was a child.  Not to mention a wall clock over the fireplace that looked like the diamond-shaped one pictured, only with three overlapping diamonds.

The original marketing spiel for the Embassy:

An Electric Alarm with a Colonial Accent
So gay, in its quaint New England way… so very different from the usual electric alarm… Embassy’s as refreshing as a Cape Cod breeze, as rich as “Down East” tradition. It has a mellow maple finish, an intriguing bowl shape… and brings you the electric time you can depend on to be right to the minute for years. It’s a silent alarm clock that lets you sleep… there’s never a tick to test your slumber. And its on-the-dot alarm keeps on ringing until you wake up and stop it. Of course, Embassy never needs winding, oiling or regulating, and has the self-starting motor that has long been making a name for Telechron as the world’s top favorite in electric alarms. See Embassy and other smart models at your Telechron dealer.

]]> By: Art Carnage http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574088 Art Carnage Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574088  And impossible with its 7 segment LEDs.  And impossible with its 7 segment LEDs.

]]> By: Art Carnage http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574086 Art Carnage Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574086 1. Yes, you directly entered the time (as well as the snooze period, and radio station frequencies). There were also AM and PM buttons, and AM and FM buttons on the keypad. 2. I have no idea. 1. Yes, you directly entered the time (as well as the snooze period, and radio station frequencies). There were also AM and PM buttons, and AM and FM buttons on the keypad.
2. I have no idea.

]]> By: Art Carnage http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574083 Art Carnage Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574083  I usually used the radio alarm, but I remember what you're talking about. I recall it used a 9-volt battery as a power-loss backup, But electronics not being as efficient as today, it could only run on the battery for a few hours. If the battery ran down while the power was off, once the power came back on, the alarm would automatically sound to let you know the alarm had lost its setting. It could wake the dead.  I usually used the radio alarm, but I remember what you’re talking about. I recall it used a 9-volt battery as a power-loss backup, But electronics not being as efficient as today, it could only run on the battery for a few hours. If the battery ran down while the power was off, once the power came back on, the alarm would automatically sound to let you know the alarm had lost its setting. It could wake the dead.

]]> By: Art Carnage http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574081 Art Carnage Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574081  Oh, please. That's like saying phones are no good, because they let you dial wrong numbers. I ACTUALLY OWNED this clock radio, and it was the best radio I've ever owned. The keypad let you directly enter the time, instead of the usual clunky up/down control. You also used the keypad to enter the alarms (it had 2, and the could each wake up to different radio stations), Just a few key presses, and it's done. Likewise, you just entered in an AM or FM frequency for a radio station. You could store up to a dozen frequencies that could be recalled with a keypad press. You could scan up and down the frequencies, as well. It also had a light sensor, and automatically adjusted the LED display's brightness, which was highly innovative for the time.  Plus, you could set the snooze period to whatever you wanted. It was quite simply a beautiful piece of technology.  Oh, please. That’s like saying phones are no good, because they let you dial wrong numbers. I ACTUALLY OWNED this clock radio, and it was the best radio I’ve ever owned. The keypad let you directly enter the time, instead of the usual clunky up/down control. You also used the keypad to enter the alarms (it had 2, and the could each wake up to different radio stations), Just a few key presses, and it’s done. Likewise, you just entered in an AM or FM frequency for a radio station. You could store up to a dozen frequencies that could be recalled with a keypad press. You could scan up and down the frequencies, as well.

It also had a light sensor, and automatically adjusted the LED display’s brightness, which was highly innovative for the time.  Plus, you could set the snooze period to whatever you wanted.

It was quite simply a beautiful piece of technology.

]]> By: CH http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574079 CH Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574079 Your alarm pulls your ear or taps your shoulder? Yeah, I wouldn't want a snooze alarm with that kind of wake up system, either! My snooze is a "7 more minutes, mom!!!" button. Your alarm pulls your ear or taps your shoulder? Yeah, I wouldn’t want a snooze alarm with that kind of wake up system, either!

My snooze is a “7 more minutes, mom!!!” button.

]]> By: An Infinitude of Tortoises http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574063 An Infinitude of Tortoises Mon, 05 Nov 2012 04:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574063 Hey, this was from way back before the advent of error-free computing! Hey, this was from way back before the advent of error-free computing!

]]> By: Jay S http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574062 Jay S Mon, 05 Nov 2012 04:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574062 I had one of the GE computer radios. I had to reboot (power down reset) it a couple of times over the years before it finally became totally unreliable. After the first episode, I never really trusted it again. I had one of the GE computer radios. I had to reboot (power down reset) it a couple of times over the years before it finally became totally unreliable. After the first episode, I never really trusted it again.

]]> By: Chris Hershberger http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574057 Chris Hershberger Mon, 05 Nov 2012 03:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574057 My Realistic dual-alarm, wake-to-cassette, AM/FM/FM stereo with battery backup is still kickin' after almost 25 years.  The blue segmented display still dims when I turn off the room lights, although a couple of the segments are dimmer than the rest.  I think I paid $80 for it new.  I remember when I bought it, the clerk tried to sell me an extended warranty--quite a new thing back then, and not cheap.  I was annoyed, so I replied that if I wasn't happy with it for some reason, I'd rather just buy a different brand next time.  I still feel that way about extended warranties, but it's ironic that *that* clock radio is just about the only thing I have that has lasted so long. My Realistic dual-alarm, wake-to-cassette, AM/FM/FM stereo with battery backup is still kickin’ after almost 25 years.  The blue segmented display still dims when I turn off the room lights, although a couple of the segments are dimmer than the rest.  I think I paid $80 for it new.  I remember when I bought it, the clerk tried to sell me an extended warranty–quite a new thing back then, and not cheap.  I was annoyed, so I replied that if I wasn’t happy with it for some reason, I’d rather just buy a different brand next time.  I still feel that way about extended warranties, but it’s ironic that *that* clock radio is just about the only thing I have that has lasted so long.

]]> By: redesigned http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574056 redesigned Mon, 05 Nov 2012 03:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574056 my thoughts exactly! my thoughts exactly!

]]> By: Preston Sturges http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1574001 Preston Sturges Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1574001  We had one in the Telechron style for 25 years.  What was that weird plastic?  We had one in the Telechron style for 25 years.  What was that weird plastic?

]]> By: Preston Sturges http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573998 Preston Sturges Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573998  I used to put my obnoxious clock in a dresser drawr  I used to put my obnoxious clock in a dresser drawr

]]> By: Ken Breadner http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573992 Ken Breadner Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573992 I never understood snooze timers. Just set the clock for when you want to get up. I wouldn't tolerate somebody pulling my ear or tapping my shoulder to wake up before it's time to wake up--why would I want an alarm doing it? I never understood snooze timers. Just set the clock for when you want to get up. I wouldn’t tolerate somebody pulling my ear or tapping my shoulder to wake up before it’s time to wake up–why would I want an alarm doing it?

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573976 EH Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573976 I would love to read a compendium of interviews with the engineers who designed the alarm sounds used in electronic clocks over the years. I would love to read a compendium of interviews with the engineers who designed the alarm sounds used in electronic clocks over the years.

]]> By: sburns54 http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573955 sburns54 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 21:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573955  No, I just have a collection of the original Christmas catalogs from my childhood and before- 1952 through 1968, I'm missing 5, including 1965. They were a BIG part of our childhood- us kids would fight to get to the Wishbook first when it arrived.  No, I just have a collection of the original Christmas catalogs from my childhood and before- 1952 through 1968, I’m missing 5, including 1965. They were a BIG part of our childhood- us kids would fight to get to the Wishbook first when it arrived.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573953 Guest Sun, 04 Nov 2012 21:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573953 ... but low price often fails to reward the market. Bought a noname brand clock radio recently because it was slightly cheaper than a well known brand... and it showed station drift, unusable! I was shocked because in my whole life I have not encountered such a thing. I opened it up and it looked like it was thrown together by blind, handless children in an asian orphanage, and it probably was. Edit: actually it wasn't noname, but a Tamashi KXZ 6. Worst. Radio. Clock. Ever. … but low price often fails to reward the market. Bought a noname brand clock radio recently because it was slightly cheaper than a well known brand… and it showed station drift, unusable! I was shocked because in my whole life I have not encountered such a thing. I opened it up and it looked like it was thrown together by blind, handless children in an asian orphanage, and it probably was. Edit: actually it wasn’t noname, but a Tamashi KXZ 6. Worst. Radio. Clock. Ever.

]]> By: Randy Walters http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573928 Randy Walters Sun, 04 Nov 2012 21:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573928 The mom & daughter in that second ad look like they're peaking on some extremely powerful neurostimulants. Dad looks like Jack Nicholson's younger brother. The mom & daughter in that second ad look like they’re peaking on some extremely powerful neurostimulants. Dad looks like Jack Nicholson’s younger brother.

]]> By: CognitiveDissident http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573893 CognitiveDissident Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573893 Is that your Sears Wish List catalog site, wishbookweb.com? That's a cool site, just like the old RadioShack catalog site.  ('65 is missing there too, that's why I thought it might be yours.) Is that your Sears Wish List catalog site, wishbookweb.com?
That’s a cool site, just like the old RadioShack catalog site.

 (’65 is missing there too, that’s why I thought it might be yours.)

]]> By: CognitiveDissident http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573891 CognitiveDissident Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573891 I think there's a guy up in heaven with three (or maybe even four!) clock radios. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPQHDToZOHw I think there’s a guy up in heaven with three (or maybe even four!) clock radios.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPQHDToZOHw

]]> By: allium http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573886 allium Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573886 Music on AM and faux woodgrain - was there ever a more perfect marriage? Music on AM and faux woodgrain – was there ever a more perfect marriage?

]]> By: jackbird http://boingboing.net/2012/11/04/clocks-backward-in-time.html#comment-1573880 jackbird Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=192092#comment-1573880 Not too hard to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=dual%20alarm%20clock" rel="nofollow">find</a>.  As long as you're OK with setting 2 alarms instead of using a snooze button. Not too hard to find.  As long as you’re OK with setting 2 alarms instead of using a snooze button.

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