Westclox Administration Building in the Westclox Manufacturing Plant Historic District, Peru, IL (originally c. 1885, major expansion c. 1920). Westclox was founded as the United Clock Company in 1885 by Charles Stahlberg. Stalberg and other founders came to Peru from Waterbury, Connecticut. Stahlberg had identified a technological innovation for watches and wanted to start his own brand to take advantage of it. However, shortly after its founding, the company went bankrupt. In 1887, it was reorganized as the Western Clock Company. It again went bankrupt, and was purchased by F. W. Matthiessen in 1888 as the Western Clock Manufacturing Company. The company finally hit its stride, and in 1908, it patented its most famous clock--the Big Ben. The design fused the case with the alarm bell, allowing faster manufacture. It was the first alarm clock sold nationally. The company's name was shortened back to the Western Clock Company in 1912. "Westclox" began appearing on the backs of alarm clocks in 1910, and became a popular nickname for the company. In 1916, the company officially adopted the name. The company was incorporated in 1912, and in 1931, it merged with the Seth Thomas Clock Company. The consolidated companies became a division of the General Time Corporation. Shortly before World War II, the company introduced a portable version of the alarm clock. During the war, they made aviation instrumentation and compasses for the Army. From 1942 to 1945, Westclox exclusively produced for the war effort. In 1959, they introduced the first electric alarm clock which was also the first to include a "snooze" function. Quartz movements were introduced in 1972. Operations ceased at the plant in 1980. Salton, Inc. acquired the rights to the name during a bankruptcy organization in 2001. The name was sold to NYL Holdings in 2007.