Why workers decided they needed desk clocks is anyone's guess as most of the time they serve as reminders that there is not enough time left to get the job done. Although through the years since battery operated clocks hit the market in 1912, and eliminated the need for a weight system to keep the clock running, desk clocks became a common home and office decorative item that performed a valuable function.

As the size of many desk began to shrink the use of mantle clocks as desk clocks had to change as many were simply too big and took up too much space on the desktop. Many believe they were initially placed on desks to remind workers about how much time they had left to get a certain job done, while others think desk clocks were used to improve productivity. By knowing how much time they had to get done, when they were able to finish early, they were often given additional work to do.

Today's desk clocks can be found in a variety of sizes, shapes, styles and colors from staid, conservative designs to loud and to some obnoxious shapes with cartoon characters watching over a person's workspace. Some even have a means of inserting a favorite photo into the case to show off, as it becomes the face of the clock.

Serving As Reminder Of Appointments

In the business world, life is lived by the clock and during times when not everyone could afford their own wristwatch or pocket watch, desk clocks were available to remind them of important meetings with customers or with their boss. Possibly it was during these times that the phrase "time is money" was coined and has been lived by every since.

One of the most unique desk clocks ever developed was built into the surface of the desk with a flat glass cover, making it seem like an actual part of the desk's surface. The advantage of this design is the worker could simply cover the clock with paper or some other object and temporarily forget about the time.

However, as time goes on more and more designs will be introduced making desk clocks a more popular gift idea for those who work at a desk or work at home. Keeping track of time has been a habit developed thousands of years ago and will likely remain a fascination until the proverbial end of time.