An American Icon Since 1932: The Kit Cat Klock

The original model Kit Cat Klock (right) and it’s modern plastic counterpart.

When Earl Arnault first designed the clock in 1932, it is unlikely that he could envisage the clock becoming the icon it is and having a longevity of over 88 years. In fact, at the time in America, the Great Depression was at it’s worst with the Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting it’s lowest. The Kit Cat Klock survived and thrived however, and in 2017 the California Clock Company estimated that a clock was sold every 3 minutes for the last 50 years!

The original models were made of metal, AC powered and manufactured by the Allied Clock Company in Portland Oregon. Art Deco in design, they had a distinctive wagging tail and rolling eyes that still remain it’s signature hallmark up until today. The company itself moved to Washington in the 1940s before settling in Southern California in 1962, whereupon it was renamed the California Clock Company.

As the designed evolved, they were eventually made out of plastic and battery powered. The company almost lost their USA manufacturing status in the 1980s as all American motor manufacturing had relocated to Asia over the span of just a few years. The 1990s and 2000s saw the introduction of color models and also Lady Cat versions. While early versions had only two paws and no bow-tie, the modern Kit Cat Klocks have four paws and a bow tie.

Amazingly, this pop culture icon has stood the test of time and spawned countless imitators with different animal characters worldwide. Some of the rare and vintage Kit Cat Klock models can fetch thousands (and even tens of thousands) of dollars on the auction market! It is a significant and proud fact that the Kit Cat Klock is still made in America today.

Let’s see what they have in store for the next decade as they approach their 100th anniversary!

The Kit Cat Klock is sold on Amazon under the official store starting at US$ 49.99 onwards and going up depending on the model.

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