Kit Cat Clock - 2,365,200,000 tail wags and still counting

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 16 people | Log in to rate

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The Kit Cat Clock: A Cheerful Tradition

The Kit Cat Clock started in the Great Depression, and after 75 years, it's still going strong. It's been made since 1932 by the California Clock Company, although according to a website detailing the history of the clock, it started out in Portland, OR, moved to Seattle, and later to a couple of locations in California.

The clock, with its moving eyes and tail, was an instant hit with the public. Although it has undergone changes in 75 years, the clock is still very much like the original, with only minor changes in appearance.  Someone has purchased a Kit Cat Clock every three minutes since it was introduced.

There's a fan club for the clock with over 10,000 members, and it has a creed: Put a smile on everyone's face; Love in everyone's heart; Energy in everyone's body; and Be a positive force in everyone's life!


I started this lens on a whim after finding an article about the somewhat delayed decision by the owners of Felix the Cat to sue the California Clock Company. It's been one of my most popular lenses, and I now have my own Kit Cat Clock, shown in the photo.

For any math wizards out there, the number in the title is the number of seconds in 75 years, although it's a little off because it does not account for the seventeen leap years. Then there's the sixty-three million tail wags that have been wagged since the 75th anniversary of the Kit Cat Clock. (Yes, I used a calculator.)

The Syncopated Kit Cat Clock 

Now that I have my own Kit Cat Clock, it's only right that it should star in its own video. The music is "The Syncopated Clock" by Leroy Anderson, performed by the Boston Pops Orchestra.
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The Kit-Cat Creed

Put a smile on everyone's face;
Love in everyone's heart;
Energy in everyone's body;
and
Be a positive force
in everyone's life!

Is the Kit-Cat Clock a Toy? 

The AARP seems to think so.

Kit Cat Clock in AARP Bulletin, December 2009I've always thought of the Kit-Cat Clock as a novelty clock that has been bought and used by adults. Then I got my December 2009 AARP Bulletin in the mail. There is a blurb on the cover for "50 Toys Under $50 That Kids Still Love." On page 43 there's a colorful graphic that looks like a board game with a winding path from start to finish divided up into segments. Each segment names a toy that's not only under $50 but has been around for at least 50 years. You'd probably recognize a lot of them: Lincoln Logs, Lego, Scrabble, Jon Gnagy's Art Studio, the Jetfire Balsawood Glider (I remember when those were ten cents) and more. Right between the Whiffle Ball and Wooly Willy (a guy's face that can be given hair by moving iron filings with a magnet) was the Kit Cat Clock, one of a dozen items that rated a picture.

The Front of the Kit-Cat® Box 

The text reads:

The Original
Kit-Cat Klock®

with
rolling eyes
and
wagging tail

made
in
U.S.A.

The Back of the Kit-Cat® Box 

The Kit-Cat Creed and Kit-Cat Fan Club information are here

The text reads:

Smile...
With Kit-Cat®

Since the mid 1930s--in the midst of the Great Depression--the Kit-Cat® Klock has been inspiring hope and entertaining the world with his rolling eyes and wagging tail. Kit-Cat® & Kitty-Cat® continue to bring joy to millions, but not just as animated clocks.

Today Kit-Cat® is a positive character enriching the lives of many with his optimistic philosophy on life. Now you can catch Kit-Cat® positive thoughts on T-shirts, Beach Towels, Watches, Books and much more!

Kit-Cat® Wants
You!

Hi, I'm Kit-Cat® And I have exciting news for you! Thousands from the Kit-Cat® International Fan Club and I are inviting you to come join us as we live out

THE Kit-Cat® CREED

Put a smile on everyone's face;
Love in everyone's heart;
Energy in everyone's body;
and--Be a positive force in everyone's life!

Don't miss out on all the fun! Send for Fan Club information today! Kit-Cat® Fan Club
P.O. Box 9901
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
www.Kit-Cat.com

This Side of the Kit-Cat® Box 

The text reads:

The Original
Kit-Cat Klock®

with
rolling eyes
and
wagging tail

"Kit-Cat® brightens my day and gives my
wife and I some extra joy." O.B., New Jersey

"Help me, O.B. Wan, you're my only hope."
Princess Leia, Alderaan

(OK, I'm kidding about the second quote!)

That Side of the Kit-Cat® Box 

The text reads:

The Original
Kit-Cat Klock®

with
rolling eyes
and
wagging tail

"Kit-Cat ... is always uplifting, like a visit
from a friend," J.L., Wisconsin

OPEN HERE (sideways text on the tab)

Felix the Cat vs. California Clock Company 

Cartoon cat's owners sue the Kit Cat Clock's makers

Although the Kit Cat Clock has been around since the 1930s, it took the owners of Felix the Cat, created in the early 1920s, until the 21st century to sue the Kit Cat folks, claiming infringement. Check out the next-to-last link below, then check out the last one for the outcome.

Kit Cat Clock Links 

Kit-Cat Fan Club
The official site for the Kit Cat Clock's fan club. Tons of information, including where to buy one at a store, troubleshooting, you name it! There are three levels of membership. With the first level, you get basic membership stuff and a T shirt. With the second level, you also get a sweatshirt along with the T shirt. With the third level, you get the T shirt, the sweatshirt and a watch. Membership dues are paid once only.
California Clock Company
The home page of the manufacturer of the classic clock.
History of the Kit Cat Clock
Just about anything you might want to know about the clock, including ways to tell when and where your family heirloom was made.
Seattle Times Article on the 75th Anniversary
The newspaper article that inspired this lens.
'Toon legend's company sues over 'blatant knockoff' by clock maker - News - NY Daily News
Exclusive: A catfight is unfolding in the federal courts - and let's just say it's going to be tough for the parties to find a jury of their peers.
All's fur as Felix makes clock deal
The lawsuit has been settled as of early November 2008.

Kit Cat Clocks at Amazon 

The Kit Cat Clock comes in classic black, colors, and with jewels. Choose your favorite!

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Kit Cat Clock - Black 75th Anniversary Edition

Kit Cat Clock - Black 75th Anniversary Edition

This Amazing Clock is Made in the USA. If you know more...1 point

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Kit Cat Clock - Red 75th Anniversary Edition

Kit Cat Clock - Red 75th Anniversary Edition

This Amazing Clock is Made in the USA. If you know more...1 point

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THE Original KIT CAT Klock Featuring Rolling Eyes and Wagging Tail - KIT KAT Clock

THE Original KIT CAT Klock Featuring Rolling Eyes and Wagging Tail - KIT KAT Clock

The Kit Cat Klock has been a source of enjoyment f more...1 point

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Classic Black Kit Kat Clock Cat Pendulum Clock

Classic Black Kit Kat Clock Cat Pendulum Clock

Awesome Classic Black Kit Kat Clock. BRAND NEW &a more...1 point

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Turquoise Green Kit Kat Pendulum Cat Wall Clock

Turquoise Green Kit Kat Pendulum Cat Wall Clock

Awesome Classic Green Kit Kat Clock. BRAND NEW &a more...1 point

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Kit Kat Clock - Red Jeweled 75th Anniversary Edition

Kit Kat Clock - Red Jeweled 75th Anniversary Edition

The Kit Kat Clock had its humble beginning during more...1 point

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Yellow Kit Kat Cat Pendulum Kitchen Wall Clock

Yellow Kit Kat Cat Pendulum Kitchen Wall Clock

Awesome Classic Yellow Kit Kat Clock. BRAND NEW & more...1 point

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Kit Cat Clock (FM) Select Color: Rose Plum

Kit Cat Clock (FM) Select Color: Rose Plum

Click to see all the colors available! Since the m more...1 point

Search for Kit Cat Clocks on eBay 

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Kit Cat Clock on YouTube 

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World's largest Kit-cat clock full body 3 points

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World's Largest Kit-cat clock on Route 66 2 points

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Kit Kat Cat Clock 2 points

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World's Largest Kit-cat clock - tail 2 points

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Kit-Cat Clock 1 point

A Note about the Spelling 

In most of the modules in this lens, I've spelled the product's name "Kit Cat Clock." It's the most common spelling on the Internet, and it appears to be frequently used when people do searches. For that reason I've stuck with that spelling. Also it makes me, somewhat of a perfectionist in spelling, cringe slightly when I see "clock" spelled "klock."

I don't really mind that the California Clock Company spells it "Kit-Cat Klock," but if I were to use only that spelling, I really think fewer people would find the lens. Therefore, I only used it when reproducing the text from the clock box.

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by MobyD

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