Eventually the situation changed. In early 1870 the yearly production in the Black Forest on the Baden side was estimated at 1,8 million clocks. Now big clocks with spring mechanisms were also produced, although the Black Forest weight clock was still dominant in the Black Forest and could easily compete with the fabrication operations. A considerable share of survival was accounted to the transition of a factory type component production. The rising clock industry managed its big sales with primarily two types of clocks, the metal alarm clock and the spring reverse wall clocks - both of them manufactured in accordance with American technology. In 1905 the entire production in the Wuerttemberg part of the Black Forest was estimated at 5,8 million of which 4,1 million (70,7%) were alarm clocks.
Prior to 1914 more than 50% of the world export of big clocks came from the Black Forest clock industry. As was the case long ago with domestic clock makers, the Black Forest clock industry supplied now the biggest part of the world with its products.

Cuckoo clocks. Figure clocks. Music clocks.
Certainly no other Black Forest clock enticed the fantasy as much as the cuckoo clock. Although not actually an invention of the Black Forest clock makers, they were still able to make this clock type famous and well liked all over the world. The first ones were most likely created in the years 1740/50. Whether in Schönwald or in Neukirch, remains unclear at this stage of clock research.

back to...........continue