The dedication of Tomorrowland was once preserved on a plaque at the base of the Tomorrowland United States of America Flag Pole: “Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals : the Atomic Age … the challenge of outer space … and the hope for a peaceful and unified world.” Like it’s contemporary Avenue of Flags (featuring the mottos and emblems of the States of the Union) or much like the latter Spirit of Creative Energies murals (highlighting the creative and colorful children of our “small world”), the Clock of the World highlighted something something that connects us all - in this instance, time.

By July 1, 1954, George Whitney of Disneyland, Inc. directed Amusements, with Ron Miller overseeing analysis, philosophy, capacities, planning, operator training, and amusement procurement. Early thumbnail sketches and other concept artwork seemed to be unencumbered by restrictions of budget, schedule or the laws of nature and physics. Though guided by Walt, his artists appeared to engage in “free-thinking,” as if implementing the modern “Blue Sky” Imagineering process. Like some advanced “High Concept,” final designs were quickly generated and approved for the Clock of the World.

Perhaps some of these thoughts of what connect us were behind Herb Ryman’s early quick “suggestions” that eventually depicted what would be known as “the Clock of the World.”

The “U.S. Time Corp. Clock” was designed by WED Enterprises. Some of the viable project Concepts (as pictured above), were supported by a well-developed business case and built expectation.

The “U.S. Time Corp. Clock” was also constructed by WED Enterprises. The steel supports and framework was accomplished by Griffith Equipment Company.

F. M. Franz, manager of operations for MeNeil Construction expressed: "We feel sure there has never been anything built like this in Southern California, or elsewhere in the United States. Many of the items were constructed from artist’s sketches.”

Timex, the official time in Disneyland, was well represented throughout our Magic Kingdom. According to the Guided Tour Script (1962), The World Time Clock was “provided by the Timex Corporation and designed by the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.” Timex was the sponsor of the Main Street Watch Shop and the same corporation that supplied Disneyland’s other memorable clocks on Main Street U.S.A. (as the Post Clock near Eastman Kodak, and the clock tower piece over the Main Street Station). Since 1955, the U.S. Time Corporation cared for all these clocks.

The construction crews didn't begin work on any of Tomorrowland until six months into the project. As of June 2, 1955, C.V. Wood Jr. sent an Inter-Office Memorandum to Walt Disney regarding the best estimates that could be obtained at the time regarding the completion status of individual sections of the Park and Opening Day. C.V. wrote: “The Clock: This is very critical. Every effort has been placed on it. The works on the inside may not be ready.”

This illustration (pictured above ; produced for an early licensed Disneyland product), granted a glimpse of the International Time Clock - the first Tomorrowland attraction that guests would encountered, in the Entryway!

It could give guests the time for nearly anywhere in the world! In fact according to the Los Angeles Examiner (July 15, 1955), “At a glance, this elaborate chronometer tells you the exact minute and hour anywhere on the face of the planet Earth.”

The presentation of the Clock of the World show on the vast DISNEYLAND “stage” was a distinct part of the Disneyland theater concept. It was a 24-hour clock, measuring time in a method similar to Military Time. The Sunsphere, the aluminum Band atop tiled base, and the Orb were essential time-telling components of the clock. According to Vacationland (Winter, 1958), “the dark numbers on white backgrounds are daylight hours ; white numbers with dark background are nighttime.” As you will note, guests often photographed the clock from the daytime side.

Once understood, this “elaborate” clock was quite easy to use, “showing at a glance the exact time at all the far ends of the world,” [The Story of Disneyland, published 1955 by Disneyland Inc.]. As this was the case, the Clock of the World was reckoned among “Disneyland rides and amusements” that “will delight the very young, the teen-ager, young married couples, the middle-aged, and grandparents alike,” as some of the Vintage Views testify [Anaheim Bulletin “Premier Souvenir Edition - Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom - Disneyland” Insert ; Friday, July 15th, 1955].

Since Disneyland’s opening day, the “World Clock”, “World Time Clock” or “Clock of the World” (as it is more commonly called) was an elaborate chronometer which served as an icon to further Tomorrowland’s theme of the future year - 1986.

Tomorrowland was in its infancy, its hub unfinished by opening day. At this “point in time,” it looks like American Motors presents CirCARama and Monsanto’s Hall of Chemistry are still works in progress. The attraction’s signs don’t even appear above the entrances of the halls. But by the year 1958, the 24-foot tall Clock of the World was one of 15 free educational shows and exhibits at Disneyland.

Still, the Clock of the World stands as “Tomorrowland’s first landmark,” according to “News From Disneyland” (a press release document published 1956). The Clock of the World welcomed visitors from around the world, to observe the time of day in their native time zone!

A decade before It’s a Small World, this was the Tomorrowland location of “just one moon and one golden sun.” Atop a roof, brass work, and plastic ring stood the gold-finish spun aluminum sun (with aluminum studs) and cast aluminum silver moon face. The latter measured 40 inches between points. Like some sort of “moon-spinner,” the entire piece would rotate. The moon and sun turned clockwise while the numbers would rotate counter clockwise.

The clock was covered with a map on top (with numbers on a separate ring), and stationary acrylic tile below on the base.

The Clock of the World and it’s surrounding planting area soon appeared in professional photographs shot for press-release material and publication. For instance, actress Spring Byington (of “December Bride) and child actor Bobby Diamond (of “Fury”) were photographed near the Clock of the World for their 1956 “TV Radio Mirror” photoshoot at Disneyland!

The Clock of the World (and surrounding bed of flowering buds) was certainly photogenic, and often served as a backdrop for amateur photographs.

The Disneyland Dictionary (published 1958) described the attraction among the “Disneyland Particulars” in the following way: “A giant TIMEX clock gives world time, and is a landmark at the entrance to the land.”

“When Corporal Laurie A. McGaw, stationed at El Toro Marine Corp Air Station in Southern California, found himself dateless with New Years Eve fast approaching, he set out on a reconnaissance mission to find a solution. Scouring a local newspaper one day, an advertisement caught his eye and provided the Marine Corp's imaginative answer. Disneyland, just a half hour away from El Toro, was having a New Year's Eve Party. The mission suddenly crystalized for Corporal McGaw. Disneyland has a ‘World Clock’ one that enables you to tell the time of day anywhere in the world. So, the Corporal reasoned, why not celebrate the New Year as it arrives as the clock strikes Midnight around the globe? And that's just how Corporal Laurie A. McGaw spent his New Year's Eve, 1961 ... and most of the afternoon as well. The gals? That was easy for a Marine in dress blues. He just stood by the clock, picked out the right one as she came by, and asked her for a kiss. Simple!

(Conveniently, the Disneyland clock is numbered in military manner. The number "I" is 1 a. m.; 12 is Noontime, and 24 - the 24th hour of the day is midnight.)”

A Press Release continues, describing the acquired kisses:

“LONDON & PARIS: Still daylight (4 p. m.) in California, but its midnight in London and Paris -- and the New Year has begun. The Corporal's first ‘date,’ Marilyn Huntsman.

WEST AFRICA AND ICELAND: Norma Allman starts the year on the right foot. Wow! said Corporal McGaw. (5 p. m. in California)

GREENLAND: Maybe the North country is cold, but Judy Wampler belped keep the Corporal warm. (6 p.m. in California)

BUENOS AIRES: Rebecca Morris and Corporal McGaw. (8 p. m. - California)

CHICAGO AND NEW ORLEANS: Photo #6: Sisters my Curtice and Mary Jo Curtice (r). (10 p. m. -California) Photo #7: Dorris Bruce. Photo #8: Geri Kirk.

DENVER AND DALLAS: Photo #9 and 10. Ginger La Hone (11 p. m. in California)

Finally, its New Years in California. But by this time - - - back gain with "first kiss" Marilyn Huntsman - -- Corporal McGaw has had it. ‘I may be disfranchised by the Marines for saying so, but I was tired. Besides, I've always wanted to spend a quiet New Years!!’”

According to Disneyland World of Flowers (published 1965) : “The clock is perpetually encircled by flowers. . . in the winter time, violas.”

“Encircling the Clock of the World is a rich flower bed containing colorful annuals”, according to Disneyland World of Flowers (published 1965). To elaborate, “the clock is perpetually encircled by flowers. In the spring it is dressed with French dwarf marigolds.”

This guest must have utilized her copy of “The Story of Disneyland” (and its rear “Disneyland Guide Map”) to find the Clock of the World.

The numbers corresponding to the hours in a twenty-four hour day would rotate and align with locations on the map below.

Flags of the States bordered the Entryway to Tomorrowland, and encircled the Clock of the World.

It looks as if the Clock of the World and the Avenue of Flags was originally assured a place in Tomorrowland, even after the addition of the PeopleMover, according to this map artwork.

The Clock of the World returned to Disneyland (this time, in miniature form) for a Tomorrowland exhibit at the 60th anniversary celebration of Disneyland! This small scale representation was created by Bobby Babcock and his team of artists at local RWB Props.