Gilbert Clock Co.
Clocks bearing the Gilbert label or name began to appear in 1828 when William L. Gilbert and George March formed Marsh, Gilbert & Company to buy their own clock shop in Bristol, and later Farmington, Connecticut. In 1835 John Birge replaced Marsh and the company became Birge, Gilbert & Company and became known for their Empire-style shelf clocks. For a brief time around 1840 the company worked with Chauncey Jerome to manufacture the inexpensive brass-movements invented by Jerome.
A series of ownership changes occurred over the next ten years while the company continued to manufacture brass clocks in Winsted, Connecticut. In 1851 the company changed its name to W. L. Gilbert & Co. and continued as such until 1866 when it was modified to the Gilbert Manufacturing Co. In 1871 the name was again changed to the William L. Gilbert Clock Co. and it operated in Winsted until 1934. Gilbert turned management of the company over to George B. Owen in 1880 and died ten years later.
The company continued to operate under a series of new corporate owners until 1964. During World War II it was known for making papier mache alarm clocks – then in great demand – as an alternative to the scarce metal resources needed for the war effort.