Historical information

Item used to operate and record the time in the Cincinnati Time Recording clock. This type of clock was used by the MMTB in the 1930s. The key would be issued by the depot staff to crews for use in the clock to record times so that they could be matched up against the timetable to see whether tram or bus services were running on time. Understood that this style of key was last used on the Port Melbourne bus route. The Museum has one of these clocks at its depot which was obtained from The Met in? The second photo shows the key in position before turning the handle around it.
By the 1960's (or earlier) they were only used on the M&MTB bus routes. All the tram routes had M&MTB copies with a very different style of key. Only used on two man bus routes and the conductor held the key due to the half-cab bus design. On the tram routes the driver was responsible for the key and recording the time.
The key number represented the crew's shift number. For a while towards the end of their use on the trams they were the Run number. This change led to many lost keys!

See item 9568 for an example of the time recording clock itself.

Significance

Demonstrates a Cincinnati "Bundy" time recording clock key.

Physical description

Key - or Bundy Clock key made for a Cincinnati Time Recording Clock comprising a circular brass section with a key number section secured by a screw at one end and a flat steel strip inserted into the brass section, with a hole at one end that could be placed on a hook. The steel strip is riveted into the brass round section. Two keys held.

Inscriptions & markings

Steel section stamped "tramways" and "55" and "263"