Program on clocks and mass production on September 26 at the Dubois County Museum

On Friday, September 26, at 11:00 a.m., long-time Jasper resident Jim Hedinger will present a program on clocks at the Dubois County Museum, located at 2704 N. Newton Street in Jasper. 

His program does not only center on clocks, though; it is a history lesson on clocks, mass production and interchangeable parts. Mr. Hedinger grew up learning about his Swiss ancestry and the Swiss fascination with clocks. He traveled through various European areas to find his family’s origins. Hedinger also visited Connecticut, where he learned more about Eli Terry, a pioneer in clockmaking.  

Wikipedia states that “Terry was an inventor and clockmaker in  Connecticut. He received a United States patent for a shelf clock mechanism. He introduced mass production to the art of clock making, which made clocks affordable for the average American citizen. Terry occupies an important place in the beginnings of the development of interchangeable parts manufacturing. Terry is considered the first person in American history to actually accomplish interchangeable parts with no government funding. Terry became one of the most accomplished mechanics in New England during the early part of the nineteenth century”.

In his presentation, Hedinger will touch on our own rich history in Dubois County, where German craftsmanship settled from New England and Europe, introducing mass production and machinery into our workplaces. Our own industrial age saw our area’s workers harnessing the power of the water in the rivers to power the mills, then transitioning to steam engines for power, and ultimately to the use of electricity in manufacturing.  

The program is free, but admission to the museum will incur a charge.  The cost of admission is $5 per adult.  Those holding a museum membership will be admitted free of charge.