history.htm

BRINGING TIME TO LIFE FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS
Kit-Cat Klocks have been selling in stores across the country since the mid 1930's. His zany smile has filled homes and offices alike with joy and excitement. But why is he still so popular after all of these years? "Many letters arrive each year," says Woody Young, owner of the California Clock Company (Kit-Cat's home), "asking us to tell Kit-Cat's story."

THE KIT-CAT STORY
oooThe Kit-Cat Klock was created in a small town on the west coast during the Great Depression. While the people of this nation were struggling to survive, the Kit-Cat Klock gave them a smile and entertained them with his rolling eyes and wagging tail. Knowing this, it is easy for us to understand how he can still bring comfort to many who remember those trying times. But why does he grace the walls of those who are far too young to remember the Depression? For the answer let us turn to a couple of letters written to the California Clock Company:

ooo"...when I was a young child, my pediatrician had a Kit-Cat Klock hanging on the wall next to the examining table. I was always scared of the doctor, but seeing Kit Cat's wagging tail and rolling eyes put my mind at ease. Now that I have my very own Kit-Cat Klock, I feel a touch of nostalgia each time I check the time. Thank you for reviving precious memories."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooOlinda Wilson, KY

ooo"Two years ago I purchased my first Kit-Cat Klock. It was exactly like the one my father had purchased many years ago. For more than 20 years Kit-Cat hung on the kitchen wall, delighting everyone who saw him. It may sound silly to you but Kit-Cat held many happy childhood memories for me and I have derived much comfort from him after losing my husband. This house needs Kit Cat's cheerful self.... My kids have heard about Grandpa's Kit-Cat and have come to love our Kit Cat as much as I had when I was growing up."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooMrs. Judith B., FLA

oooIt seems as though Kit-Cat has played an important role in the making of childhood memories. Adults today remember the comforting feeling they received from Kit-Cat and they now want to share these fond memories with their children. A six year old from Austin, Texas writes:

ooo"My parents have had a Kit-Cat Klock since before I was born. When I was born we had a pet cat named Sprite. She died. She was black and white like Kit-Cat. We have a picture of her on the wall next to our Kit-Cat Klock. . .Ever since I can remember, I've passed that wall as my daddy carries me to bed at night. He stops by the picture of Sprite and Kit-Cat so I can say goodnight to them, my kitty-cat friends."

oooToday, Kit-Cat Klocks are occasionally offered in "Limited Edition" colors and "Special Production" styles, such as the "Jeweled" Kit-Cat Klock. The glimmering jewels used to decorate Kit-Cat are Austrian crystals. The crystals are allotted to The California Clock Company on a quota system by the Austrian supplier, allowing only a limited number of jeweled clocks to be produced each year. Austrian crystals retain their elegant quality for years, never dulling as do rhinestones. The cut and the silver backing of each crystal captures the light to create a handsome, gleaming Kit-Cat Klock.
oooWhen the California Clock Company goes into "Special Production" to produce "Jeweled" Kit-Cat Klocks, it embarks upon a painstaking task. Each "Jeweled" clock is decorated with 128 Austrian Crystals! The jewelers must ensure the exact placement of each jewel and, to the best of their ability, be sure the jewels will "stay put" once they leave the warehouse.
oooBecause of this tedious process, the "Jeweled" Kit-Cat Klock is offered only at certain times of the year. By utilizing cost-efficient, new technology, The California Clock Company is able to provide a beloved, American keepsake. And The Kit-Cat Klock continues to be a source of enjoyment for families around the world.
oooFor years the electric and the battery operated Kit-Cat has been introduced in a new and different color. Except for the Black clock, which is in constant production, the other colors are limited to production for one year, and are appropriately named "Limited Editions". Hence, the "Limited Edition"colors eventually sell out after about two years.

	BRINGING TIME TO LIFE FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS Kit-Cat Klocks have been selling in stores across the country since the mid 1930's. His zany smile has filled homes and offices alike with joy and excitement. But why is he still so popular after all of these years? "Many letters arrive each year," says Woody Young, owner of the California Clock Company (Kit-Cat's home), "asking us to tell Kit-Cat's story." THE KIT-CAT STORY oooThe Kit-Cat Klock was created in a small town on the west coast during the Great Depression. While the people of this nation were struggling to survive, the Kit-Cat Klock gave them a smile and entertained them with his rolling eyes and wagging tail. Knowing this, it is easy for us to understand how he can still bring comfort to many who remember those trying times. But why does he grace the walls of those who are far too young to remember the Depression? For the answer let us turn to a couple of letters written to the California Clock Company: ooo"...when I was a young child, my pediatrician had a Kit-Cat Klock hanging on the wall next to the examining table. I was always scared of the doctor, but seeing Kit Cat's wagging tail and rolling eyes put my mind at ease. Now that I have my very own Kit-Cat Klock, I feel a touch of nostalgia each time I check the time. Thank you for reviving precious memories." oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooOlinda Wilson, KY ooo"Two years ago I purchased my first Kit-Cat Klock. It was exactly like the one my father had purchased many years ago. For more than 20 years Kit-Cat hung on the kitchen wall, delighting everyone who saw him. It may sound silly to you but Kit-Cat held many happy childhood memories for me and I have derived much comfort from him after losing my husband. This house needs Kit Cat's cheerful self.... My kids have heard about Grandpa's Kit-Cat and have come to love our Kit Cat as much as I had when I was growing up." oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooMrs. Judith B., FLA oooIt seems as though Kit-Cat has played an important role in the making of childhood memories. Adults today remember the comforting feeling they received from Kit-Cat and they now want to share these fond memories with their children. A six year old from Austin, Texas writes: ooo"My parents have had a Kit-Cat Klock since before I was born. When I was born we had a pet cat named Sprite. She died. She was black and white like Kit-Cat. We have a picture of her on the wall next to our Kit-Cat Klock. . .Ever since I can remember, I've passed that wall as my daddy carries me to bed at night. He stops by the picture of Sprite and Kit-Cat so I can say goodnight to them, my kitty-cat friends." oooToday, Kit-Cat Klocks are occasionally offered in "Limited Edition" colors and "Special Production" styles, such as the "Jeweled" Kit-Cat Klock. The glimmering jewels used to decorate Kit-Cat are Austrian crystals. The crystals are allotted to The California Clock Company on a quota system by the Austrian supplier, allowing only a limited number of jeweled clocks to be produced each year. Austrian crystals retain their elegant quality for years, never dulling as do rhinestones. The cut and the silver backing of each crystal captures the light to create a handsome, gleaming Kit-Cat Klock. oooWhen the California Clock Company goes into "Special Production" to produce "Jeweled" Kit-Cat Klocks, it embarks upon a painstaking task. Each "Jeweled" clock is decorated with 128 Austrian Crystals! The jewelers must ensure the exact placement of each jewel and, to the best of their ability, be sure the jewels will "stay put" once they leave the warehouse. oooBecause of this tedious process, the "Jeweled" Kit-Cat Klock is offered only at certain times of the year. By utilizing cost-efficient, new technology, The California Clock Company is able to provide a beloved, American keepsake. And The Kit-Cat Klock continues to be a source of enjoyment for families around the world. oooFor years the electric and the battery operated Kit-Cat has been introduced in a new and different color. Except for the Black clock, which is in constant production, the other colors are limited to production for one year, and are appropriately named "Limited Editions". Hence, the "Limited Edition"colors eventually sell out after about two years.

	Method to Date the Age of Your Electric Kit-Cat Clock
	oooIf the back of the clock states "Portland, OR" it is late 30's. oooIf the back of the clock states "Seattle, WA" it was made in the 40's if it is a metal back. oooIf the back of the clock states "Seattle, WA" with a plastic back and no front paws it was made in the early '50's. oooIf the back of the clock states "Seattle, WA" with a plastic back and has front paws it was made mid to late '50's. oooThe bow tie was added about 1954. oooIf the back of the clock states "El Monte, CA" it was made in the early '60's. oooIf the back of the clock states "San Juan Capistrano, CA" it was made mid '60's to early '90's. oooIf the front of the clock has "Kit-Cat" on its clock face it was made after 1982. oooIf a stamped number is on the back that would mean it was produced from '82-'89. oooIf no stamped number, then produced from'64-'81. oooIf the clock is electric it was made before 1990. oooIf the clock is battery it was made after 1990.
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