Eli Terry's pillar-and-scroll clock in mass production

Background. Eli Terry, an inventor and clockmaker in Connecticut, introduced mass production to clockmaking, making clocks affordable for average Americans. He is recognized as the first person in American history to accomplish interchangeable parts without government funding. Terry relocated to Northbury in 1793 and helped incorporate Plymouth, Connecticut, in 1795, establishing the foundation for his manufacturing innovations.

Manufacturing Innovations. Terry invented his first milling machine in 1795 to produce interchangeable parts. By 1802 or 1803, he purchased a mill to produce wooden clock wheels, substituting water-powered machines for apprentices. He later created jigs and fixtures to produce a large number of interchangeable clock parts, allowing for accurate and repetitive cutting of wheels and pinions.

Pillar and Scroll Design. Terry is credited with the design of the pillar and scroll case, which provided a large, clear dial in a wooden case about thirty inches tall. His employee Chauncey Jerome mentioned building the first pillar and scroll in Terry's workshop under his direction. These mass-produced wooden clocks from interchangeable parts began pouring from Terry's factory in 1814.