May 5th, 2009

Watchclocks: Studies in behavioral control

If you’ve ever wandered around an older building you’ll notice something that looks like an ashtray bolted to the wall. These ashtrays, which usually say something like “Watch Station,” once held keys to wind up a watchclock, a mechanical wonder that forced the night watchman to make his rounds through the building under mechanical supervision.

As you moved through the building carrying the clock… → Read More