Clockmaker / manufacturer
Eli Terry
Also recorded as: Terry, Eli
Pioneer of mass-produced clocks with interchangeable parts in America.
In 1806 Eli Terry contracted to make 4,000 wooden clock movements in three years — an unprecedented quantity — using water-powered machinery and standardised parts. His pillar-and-scroll shelf clock (patented 1816) made the clock an affordable household object. Seth Thomas and Silas Hoadley trained and worked with him.
- Country
- United States
- City / centre
- Plymouth, Connecticut
- Life / active
- 1772–1852
- Status
- Historical individual
- Key people
- Eli Terry; Seth Thomas; Silas Hoadley
Innovations & specialities
- Mass production of clock movements (from 1806)
- Pillar-and-scroll shelf clock (1816)
