Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks

During the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, a peculiar practice persisted well into the 20th century. This era predated the availability of affordable and reliable alarm clocks, leading to a reliance on professions that we may find unconventional today.

One such profession was that of the “knocker-upper.” The primary responsibility of the knocker-upper was to ensure people arrived at work punctually. This occupation thrived in the industrial hubs of England and Scotland, where many individuals couldn’t afford personal timekeeping devices.

Knocker-uppers were often women, the elderly, or occasionally police constables seeking extra income. Armed with a long stick, they would tap on bedroom windows and swiftly move on to the next client without lingering. Some employed alternative methods such as rattles, soft hammers, or even pea shooters to rouse their clients from slumber.

The challenge for the knocker-upper was to have as many customers as possible in as small a circle as possible and to cover ground as quickly as possible in the morning. It became a sprint race in the morning and the more agile you were the more customers you had.

The service costs but pennies per customer per week.

Today if someone knocked on our window in the morning you would be understandably alarmed but back in the old days it was the only way workers could be roused in the morning so that they could get to work on time.

Of course, the question remains; who knocked up the knocker uppers?