Worcester Hotel & Conference Center
(meeting highlights & Joe Brown testimonial below pictures)

Richard Ketchen presenting "The Precision Clocks in the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University"

Jack Kurdzionak presenting "The Watchmaker in the 21st Century"

Don Irving presenting "Evolution Of The Clock Dial"

 Highlights by Dick Trepp

The fall meeting of Chapter 8, at The Worcester Hotel & Convention Center on October 29th brought out 150 members for a full slate of activities. In addition to the usual silent auction, 50-50 raffle and an active mart, the chapter was delighted to have three members presenting the educational programs. And varied they were.

Richard Ketchen speaking from his personal knowledge and as a restorer for Harvard University presented a slide show "The Precision Clocks in the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University." These clocks and instruments are housed in the Science Center. Many are in private offices and are still used by the faculty. Additional rarities are in a setting at the Center open to the public. David Wheatland, in 1940, started to put this collection together. Others followed him but only the choicest clocks were amassed. Among them are a 1665-85 Tompion, an English Ellicott about 1765-1840, and a very accurate Simon Willard Jr. 1832 tall case clock. Then there are the early 20th century Shortt clocks with their pendulums operating in a vacuum. A unique clock by Wm. Bond, a Howard #74 regulator, and a massive but delicate Simon Willard are also in the collection.

"The Watchmaker in the 21st Century", a power point presentation by Jack Kurdzionak was really a hard look at the decline in watchmakers and what all the concerned groups did to resolve the problem. An enthusiastic speaker who has been involved in almost all aspects of improving the situation, Jack pointed out that during the 50's, 60's and 70's, there was a drop from 50000 to 5000 professional watchmakers.

Schools declined to about 29 in this country. By joint efforts of the watch manufactures, the AWCI, and a Swiss group called Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Education Program (WOSTEP), standards were set, schools started, and exams administered, all with the end goal of creating certified watchmakers. Many of the schools were brand oriented. Rolex has a program to turn out watchmakers particularly skilled to service Rolexes. These special industry schools employ as many of their graduates as they can. In addition, Jack put great emphasis on the need of the new professional to make a sterling first impression with their potential customers. Cleanliness, proper dress, clean work areas, and neat storage facilities were shown by example on the screen, as well as many horror shots of what not to do. With proper training, Jack feels that new young watchmaker today can make a good living.

Our luncheon program, "Evolution of the Clock Dial" a beautifully researched talk on the development of dials, by Don Irving, was enhanced by slides and a display of some of the dials. The emphasis was on the evolution of the clock dial as a means to meet the needs of people, rather than on the technical aspect of fabrication of dials. Starting about 4000 years ago, Don talked about the Egyptian Calendar. Then came the solar year split into 12 parts and the lunar cycle, marking a passage of 30 days. The days and nights were split into 12 divisions. Along came the Sundial. This does not measure time but a water or sand clock could do this. The need to tell time at sea brought about a real effort to improve on telling time. During the 14th century the church had needs that resulted in alarm clocks to alert someone, who in turn could the alert others to meet their religious obligations. As people moved from isolated farms to the city, there was more need to provide an ability to attend functions and other meetings. Along came the first tower clocks in the late 14th century. These measured time for all to see. In the 16th century we find bracket clocks for portability, and in the 17th, the brass lantern clock. Dials of course, became more refined and complex with each new development. By 1697, we had the conventional hour, minute and seconds hands. During the 1700-1830 period, dials were made with spandrels, minute marks, and variations of these enhancements. To save money, the painted dial was introduced around 1770. And by 1830 even the painting became fancy. Don presented an interesting look into something many take for granted.

-- Dick Trepp

Silver Star Award is presented to Joe Brown

A significant event for Chapter 8 was a feature of the luncheon. Burt Kassap and Larry Chelmow presented Joe Brown with the Silver Star Award. In 1993, Joe was made a Fellow of the NAWCC. Joe has continued to contribute at a high level to National, Chapter 8, and other horological groups. He has more than earned his Star Fellow Award.

Joe is a member of New England Chapter 8, Oldtimers and Fellow Chapter #22, International 400 Day Chapter168; and was a member of Greater Mass Chapter 87.

Joe has served as Second Vice President, First Vice President, and President of Chapter 8 from1985 to 1991; has been a Director from 1981 to present; and was a director of Chapter 87 from 1973 to 1976.

Joe is currently on the board of the Willard House and Clock Museum. He has served on numerous committees, chairmanships and leadership roles at the chapter level. Among these are the annual symposium, Willard workshop, and numerous special committees.

On a regional level, he was co-chair of the regional meeting with Chapter 40 at the University of Mass. in 1985. He was on the planning committee for the 1980 National Convention in Boston in 1980 and also served as Assistant Chairman of the watch exhibit. Joe also was a member of the committee that planned and coordinated City of Waltham as part of the National Seminar in 2002.

Since 1972, Joe has given over 100 horological lectures, workshops, and demonstrations. This not only includes local chapters but also museums, civic groups, service clubs, historical societies, and public schools.

Joe is also a volunteer and Board member of the Charles River Museum of Industry in Waltham. He was chairman of the group of Chapter 8 volunteers that maintains their horological collection.

Besides being a Certified AWI Clockmaker, Joe has contributed many articles to the Bulletin.

-- Larry Chelmow

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