Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Several of Windsor’s one-handed clocks are in the collection of the Warren County Historical Society, including this small model.

The continuation of our look into the One Hand Clock Company, certainly Windsor’s most interesting patent.

From the patent application: “Outside of the double circle 3 is a circular space 4 which is divided into twelve equal sections by the lines 5. Each one of these sections are provided with lines of different lengths to designate different periods of time. The lines 7 denote five, twenty, thirty-five and fifty minute periods and are comparatively short, while the lines 8 denoting ten, twenty-five, forty and forty-five minute periods are longer, as appears on the drawing.

“It will be seen from the foregoing that each section of the circular space 4 is divided into eight parts, each if which is designated by division lines and numbers.”

Windsor’s patent application then details exactly what the benefits to a one-handed clock would be compared to a two-handed clock, which obviously dominated (and continues to dominate) the market space he’s wading into here.

“In reading the time from my improved clock dial, the hour is first ascertained at a glance by the proximity of the hand 9 to one or the other of the hour marks. The number of minutes after or before the hour is then ascertained by the coincidence of the hand with one or the other of the minute marks in the double circle 3 and the number in the group of quarter hour numbers 2 to which the hand is nearest, and the number in the circular space 4.

Photo courtesy of the Warren County Historical Society One of two trademark documents the Historical Society holds from Windsor’s one-handed clock application.

“In each section in the space 4, by having the division lines of different lengths and the numbers designating said lines at differences from the circle 3, greater accuracy and speed can be had in ascertaining the time than in those devices heretofore used (emphasis not in the original).”

According to the Historical Society, “Fred sought investors and formed ‘The One Hand Clock Company.'”

They indicate that the company was registered here in Warren but that production occurred in New Haven, Connecticut.

“Fred had some limited success in selling the clocks but it was no bonanza,” the WCHS article states. “The design was utilitarian in style and did not appear to fashion conscious housewives. Plus, a person would need eagle-eyes to read one of these clocks from across a room.”

Since all either use a two-handed (or digital) clock, it’s obvious that the idea never really took off; but that certainly doesn’t detract from the oddity or intrigue that such an invention brings.

The Historical Society has several in its collection and the small size of the minute markers on the dial is readily apparent.

A few months ago, I found one available online for purchase for $100.

And even though the clock wasn’t Windsor’s big break, it’s evident he didn’t throw in the towel quickly.

The Historical Society has the original copy of a 1923 trademark application for the One Hand Clock Company. It was formally approved by the acting commissioner of patents on March 25, 1924 and the documentation notes “the mark has been in bonafide use for not less than one year in interstate commerce by the applicant.

Interestingly, that document indicates that the company was “organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.”

That means Windsor was in California, the headquarters was detailed as Warren, the company was regulated by laws in Delaware, and production took place in Connecticut.

Still, it’s an interesting element of a story of an interesting man.