Our company began as the successors to the Hahl Pneumatic Clock System of the 1870´s, making us the most experienced manufacturers of Master Time Systems, Outdoor Clocks, and Life Safety Systems in America.
Three generations and ten decades after the founding of our company, we remain committed to our craft. From clocks driven by moving pendulums, to the space age precision of the moving Cesium atom; from pull cord fire alarm bells to fiber optic networks, our product solutions keep pace with advanced technologies and the needs of the future.
key moments in
Hahl Clock Company of Chicago, Illinois, introduces the world’s first pneumatically controlled master clock system. This invention sets the stage for the practical use of coordinated time by building occupants. It is so impactful that August Hahl earns the “John Scott Award” for the outstanding contribution to the “comfort, welfare, and happiness” of mankind.
Rolland Fulton, former Hahl Clock Company salesperson, purchases the company, relocates to Detroit, Michigan and founds the Time Systems Company. The new company continues to manufacture the successful Hahl pneumatic clock system.
The company engineers and manufactures electric minute impulse clock systems, tower clocks, nurse call systems, automatic telephone systems and becomes a pioneer in America’s early fire alarm system industry.
Among the Company’s early successes is the automatic clock system designed for the world-famous Stevens Hotel in Chicago.
The Time Systems Company continues to expand the building systems product line of fire alarm systems by introducing the Series 2100 Closed Circuit, Electrically Supervised Fire Alarm System. It operated from either AC or DC lighting circuits of the time.
The Time Systems Company reorganizes and incorporates as National Time and Signal Corporation and introduces industrial timing systems for Detroit’s growing automotive industry. Moves to larger headquarters.
AC Line frequency regulated “Synchrotime” clock systems and tower clocks are first introduced. Timekeeping accuracy is greatly improved over previous designs.
National Time and Signal Corporation moves its facility to 21800 Wyoming Avenue, Oak Park, Michigan.
The first individually correctable synchronous motor driven clock system is introduced by National Time and Signal Corporation. The clock mechanism was corrected each hour by the centralized master clock keeping them synchronized.
National Time further improved the synchronous clock mechanism enabling the master clock to synchronize clocks regardless of their starting position by adding 12-hour resets. This eliminated any manual adjustments at each clock location.
National Time develops the 7000 Series Fire Alarm System. This new panel operated on DC power with battery backup. It was expandable to any size facility with modular circuit cards. It also supported speaker audio systems with live paging.
National Time and Signal Corporation develops the world’s first microprocessor controlled, instant reset analog clock. This clock could receive time information from the master clock using the same wires used for power. The clock could then move directly to the correct time without the need to wait for a 12-hour reset. A variant of this clock is still available today as the Spectrum series clocks.
National Time & Signal Corporation opens an additional high-tech engineering and manufacturing facility in Wixom, Michigan. The new facility also serves as its current headquarters.
National Time designs a new line of “Universal” digital and analog clocks. These clocks could automatically decipher reset sequences of other manufacturers. This allows National clocks to share the same clock circuit allowing maintenance personnel to stock a single replacement clock model for entire school districts.
National Time introduces the 900 Series Analog Addressable Fire Alarm System network. This state-of-the-art system was a modular design mixing both conventional and addressable systems operating on the same communications network.
National Time expands the Fire Alarm System capability to include fiber optic communication and color graphic operator workstations. Systems now encompass 30+ buildings spanning multiple campuses.
National Time and Signal Corporation improves the digital clock line creating the most green, power efficient clocks available in the industry. Digital clock current was lowered to a fraction of the current models available in the industry. Epoxy filled LED segments also prolonged the lifespan.
National Time introduces On-Point Central, a customer cloud portal providing a web interface to their Fire Alarm System. Users can enable text message and email notifications and view the complete history of events. This interface enhances annual inspections and troubleshooting with a live view of events on a phone or tablet.
The Interactive Graphic Display (IGD) is introduced, reinventing the LED graphic annunciators of yesterday with a large format touch screen. Building maps and alarm points with navigation provide a clear understanding of emergency situations. When not in use for emergencies, the annunciator can serve general occupant needs, such as wayfinding and building announcements.
National Time is an early adopter of Wi-Fi enabled system clocks, achieving accurate timekeeping without the need for system wiring. This two-way communication implementation represents a significant advancement over current wireless techniques. National also offers the industry’s first cost-free cloud monitoring of individual clock check-ins and reports on clock statuses.
The Spectrum wired series clock mechanism is introduced, combining universal 3-wire reset capability with 2-wire on-demand operation and a sweep second hand. Its low power consumption saves energy costs and allows for longer circuit wiring with smaller wire gauges.
The Spectrum battery-powered Wi-Fi mechanism is introduced, greatly simplifying system clock additions by allowing clocks to be located anywhere without electrician involvement. The new Wi-Fi digital clock with an integrated Wi-Fi module further lowers costs and provides a streamlined case.
910 Series FACP is introduced. This new compact fire alarm control panel integrates Natsco’s On-Point cloud, LAN, and cellular monitoring capabilities.
National Time continues to advance clock technology with another industry first. The TimeCast line of clocks enhances user experience with an integrated Help and Status display. Additionally, it offers the choice of Wi-Fi or base station RF operation.
National Time is committed to continuous innovation, advancing our products and technology to meet future needs. We strive to enhance user experience and efficiency through cutting-edge solutions.
For more than 100 years, we’ve been a trusted provider of top-quality clocks and fire alarm systems. Whether it’s traditional wired master clocks, innovative Wi-Fi clock technology, or advanced fire alarm solutions, we have the right system for you. Contact us today to find the option that’s best for you.
