Origin and History of the "Getty Model" Moniker

[Nathan Moore]

I am currently conducting research on Frederick Isaac Getty, former employee of the Illinois Watch Company. Many attribute the design of the Illinois 16s Model 4/5 to him, casting the moniker, "Getty Model."

While Getty was a prominent inventor and was granted several patents over the span of his life, none exist for this Illinois model. In fact, the large majority of the patents he secured are not related to watchmaking at all.

By 1897, Getty was no longer employed by the Illinois Watch Company.

Does anyone have knowledge of original sources (factory records, primary historical accounts, etc) that verifiably attribute the model design (or parts of it) to Getty?

 

[terry hall]

According to research by Bill Meggers, (volume 2, page 39) the 'thin model' was introduced in 1896, and attributed to Fred I. Getty...

but nothing i've found in the book in regards to records, etc to document. Figured Bill did that.

The most prominent identifying feature is the single ratchet wheel with the crescent shaped click.
These are model 4 and 5 designation and range from 'mid grade' unadjusted movements to 'top shelf' grades Sangamo, 179, 181, 189 movements.

 

[Nathan Moore]

Indeed. There is no documentation regarding sources for that fact in the Meggers book.

 

[Tom McIntyre]

Perhaps Getty grew tired of the Patent Office before he went to work for Illinois. When was the Getty model developed?

 

[Nathan Moore]

Most of Getty's patents were secured after his employment at the Illinois Watch Company.

He was issued two patents related to machining tools (filed in 1884) while he was still living in Geneva, Ohio. Following his employment at Illinois, patents were issued for a wide gamut of inventions including electric clocks, well pumps, and electric signal devices.

Getty resided in Springfield, Illinois from ~1889 through ~1897. While he is listed as a machinist in the 1892 Springfield directory, by 1894, he was president of the N.C. Printing Association.

The "Getty Model" was first introduced by Illinois around 1896, and was likely in development in the preceding years.

Therefore, the timeline of Getty's residence in Springfield aligns with the creation of the new Illinois 16s model. However, his involvement with the "Getty Model" is currently conjecture, so I would like to find verifiable evidence.

Meggers obviously had a source for the reference attributing the model design to Getty.

 

[Tom McIntyre]

I suppose this could be a design patent or copyrighted design. However, those should show up on search for patents by the name Getty.

Are there special features in the winding system that would drive the different layout, or is it the design that led to hiding part of the winding?

I found a ratchet for a winding wheel from Waterbury with vertical engagement that looked like it might fit in this design but it was not Getty, of course.

 

[terry hall]

Most of Getty's patents were secured after his employment at the Illinois Watch Company.

He was issued two patents related to machining tools (filed in 1884) while he was still living in Geneva, Ohio. Following his employment at Illinois, patents were issued for a wide gamut of inventions including electric clocks, well pumps, and electric signal devices.

Getty resided in Springfield, Illinois from ~1889 through ~1897. While he is listed as a machinist in the 1892 Springfield directory, by 1894, he was president of the N.C. Printing Association.

The "Getty Model" was first introduced by Illinois around 1896, and was likely in development in the preceding years.

Therefore, the timeline of Getty's residence in Springfield aligns with the creation of the new Illinois 16s model. However, his involvement with the "Getty Model" is currently conjecture, so I would like to find verifiable evidence.

Meggers obviously had a source for the reference attributing the model design to Getty.

I found a reference blurb in May 5 1887 Jewelers Circular where Getty actually sued Illinois Watch Company should show up on a google but lots of scrolling thru the google book return pages.

 

[Nathan Moore]

Terry, that is correct. I have that in my reference notes as well. (I did not want to overwhelm the thread with all the information I have compiled).

Getty sued the Illinois Watch Co. for unpaid wages and tools that he claimed belonged to him. I think this indicates that he and the company likely did not part on good terms.

Here is a link to the article for those whom are interested:
https://books.google.com/books?id=RHUoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA12#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[pmwas]

https://mb.nawcc.org/entry.php?282-Ilinois-16s-Getty-model-in-details

Getty model in detalis - hope that's interesting
Did my best

 

[Nathan Moore]

Fantastic teardown. This will be a great practical reference for this unique model.

 

[musicguy]

Any new information Narthan.



Rob

 

[grtnev]

The link in post #9 appears to be broken.

Can anyone resurrect it?

Richard

 

[Nathan Moore]

Any new information Narthan.



Rob

Unfortunately, nothing new on this front. I continue to check in on this periodically to see if I can uncover something new.

 

[Bila]

He was also granted a patent for another tool design in the very early 90's while residing in Springfield, Illinois, does anyone know when his employ started at the Illinois watch factory?

If he sues the Illinois Watch Co in 1887 I would say he was no longer working there, the Bill Meggers' coined "Getty model" (maybe an assumption on his part) was not produced until 1896, that is a 9 Year gap. With that sort of gap, would it not be unlikely that it was his design, unless he was re-employed at a later date by the Company (this re-employment I doubt would have happened), it will be very interesting if anything verifiable turns-up?

 

[Bila]

Getty sued the Illinois Watch Co. for unpaid wages and tools that he claimed belonged to him. I think this indicates that he and the company likely did not part on good terms.

Here is a link to the article for those whom are interested:
The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review

Interesting that the newspaper references him as well as the "National Chronometer Co" in the same article, who were they and what was his relationship there I wonder, if at all?

 

[musicguy]

I will not myself continue to tell others that it was designed by Getty.
I think this is an important thread.




Rob

 

[Bila]

I have 21 patents for Frederick Getty (not including the 2 from 1884 that Nathan spoke about, so 23, if the date of 1884 is valid), and as Nathan said none for watches. After his time at Illinois he seem to be engaged in Oil Well tech more than anything else.

 

[Bila]

I will not myself continue to tell others that it was designed by Getty.

Nor will I be until we find something to validate Bill Meggers' & Roy Ehrhardt's research

I think this is an important thread.

I agree.