Rittenhouse Trent
Rittenhouse Trent Westminster Door Chime 1956
The Rittenhouse Trent is a Mid-Century Westminster door chime designed by Jean Otis Reinecke (1909-1987) and introduced in 1956. Reinecke is best known for cutting edge designs for a variety of products including Toastmaster toasters and the ubiquitous plastic scotch tape dispenser for 3M.
His work for Rittenhouse was described in marketing materials as:
Modern, functional, simplicity styled by Jean O. Reinecke, national known leader of contemporary design.
The Trent was described as:
Trent: New modestly priced hall clock chime of superb quality. Contemporary design by Reinecke. Cabinet available in ebony, rich walnut or limed oak finishes. Both chime and self-starting Telechron clock operate from 24-volt transformer, included. Provides 8-note Westminster melody for front entrance, single-note for rear and different single-note for third door. Volume control and shut-off switch. “lifetime Floating Striker Mechanism.
| Manufacturer | Rittenhouse Company, Inc. |
| Location of Manufacture | Honeoye Falls, New York, USA |
| Date of Manufacture | 1956 |
| Cover | Limed Oak |
| Bells | Brass |
| Height | 57 inches |
| Width | 9.5 inches |
| Depth | 4.125 inches |
| Notes | ElectraChime Collection. Original Condition |
My mom has a Rittenhouse Trent Clock which I assume to be from 1964 or so. While the clock is no longer keeping accurate time, the doorbell works perfectly.