Eli Terry was born on April 13, 1772 in East Windsor, Connecticut (Now South Windsor) and at the age of 14 he was already a clock worker's apprentice. He was an excellent clock worker, and when he was 21, he went into business for himself. In 1793 he opened his own clock shop in Plymouth Connecticut. Terry was a very proficient mechanic. As Eli Terry's business grew, he was able to take on an apprentice himself, and hire many employees as well. Terry saw a huge advantage in making clocks with standardized works because he found that he could produce several clocks at the same time with these standards. He also began to use waterpower to run some of his equipment. By 1800 he was producing about 20 clocks at a time in his clock factory.
In 1807, Terry sold his clock factory to one of his apprentices and had heard of Eli Whitney’s methods and saw the potential in his own business. They used efficient manufacturing and assembly techniques that allowed them to produce a huge quantity at one time. The result was a quality product that could be sold at a reasonable price for profit. He relied on his efficient manufacturing methods and interchangeable parts to keep his business flourishing. Eli Terry worked for the rest of his life improving on his production methods, and perfecting his designs. Terry retired from the clock making business in 1833, turning the business to his sons and other family members. By the time of his death on February 26, 1852, Terry's achievements and hard work had earned him ten patents for improvements to clocks. Eli Terry is remembered as the best manufacturer in Connecticut. Eli Terry played a huge role in Henry fords inspiration for manufacturing techniques.
In 1807, Terry sold his clock factory to one of his apprentices and had heard of Eli Whitney’s methods and saw the potential in his own business. They used efficient manufacturing and assembly techniques that allowed them to produce a huge quantity at one time. The result was a quality product that could be sold at a reasonable price for profit. He relied on his efficient manufacturing methods and interchangeable parts to keep his business flourishing. Eli Terry worked for the rest of his life improving on his production methods, and perfecting his designs. Terry retired from the clock making business in 1833, turning the business to his sons and other family members. By the time of his death on February 26, 1852, Terry's achievements and hard work had earned him ten patents for improvements to clocks. Eli Terry is remembered as the best manufacturer in Connecticut. Eli Terry played a huge role in Henry fords inspiration for manufacturing techniques.