Collection Research volunteer, Sally, has uncovered a fascinating story behind a timber sign from Tooth & Co Brewery that is part of the Powerhouse’s collection, Object No: 86/3315 (1930-1979). The sign, printed in black and framed in amber, reads: “Any employee detected ringing the Bundy Clock for another employee will be dismissed. By Order.” It was likely hung in one of Tooth & Co’s breweries, alongside a Bundy Clock, which was used by employees to clock on and off during their workday.
The Bundy Clock, invented by William LeGrand Bundy in 1888, was a breakthrough in time-keeping technology. Workers used a punch card, which the machine would punch a hole in to record the hours they worked. This system was a game-changer for large companies like Tooth & Co Brewery, allowing them to more accurately track employee hours. However, the early mechanical versions of the Bundy Clock had a flaw, employees could “buddy clock” for one another. This meant that one worker could clock in for a colleague who was late, something that the brewery clearly wanted to prevent.
To stop this practice, Tooth & Co implemented strict rules, as evidenced by the sign. If someone was caught ringing the Bundy Clock for another employee, they faced immediate dismissal. The clear message on the sign left little room for ambiguity: cheating the timekeeping system was not tolerated.
The Bundy Clock became essential for managing large workforces, especially with the growth of industrial businesses. It also marked a key development in modern time-tracking methods. Today’s more advanced systems, like those using fingerprint or facial recognition technology, have replaced the old mechanical clocks, but the fundamental issue of preventing employee dishonesty remains the same.
https://youtu.be/QYWsHz59DNo?si=UWM8-dwDy7esCb5VTooth & Co, established in 1835 with the purchase of Kent Brewery on Parramatta Road in Chippendale, was one of New South Wales’ most prominent breweries. At its peak, the company owned over 700 pubs and hotels across the state and had a dominant role in local beer production. Despite its success, Tooth & Co was eventually taken over by Melbourne’s Carlton United Brewery in 1983, marking the end of an era in the state’s brewing history.
Interestingly, the Bundy Time Recording Company, which produced the Bundy Clock, later went on to become a founding member of IBM, helping pave the way for today’s advanced employee tracking technologies.
Sally’s research has provided us with a fascinating glimpse into how businesses managed their workforces nearly a century ago. The Bundy Clock regulations are a reminder of the lengths companies went to ensure fair and honest time-keeping. It’s amazing to think about how a simple mechanical clock could play such an important role in shaping workplace practices, and how it continues to influence modern systems today.
Written by Karen Griffiths, Volunteer Programs Officer, and researched by volunteer Sally King.