People Johann Antel (1866-1930)

Johann Antel was born a farmer's son in what is now Lhota u Konice in the modern district of Prostejov. He was working as a clockmaker in Brno by his mid-twenties, and completed a number of high-profile electric clock projects for the city between 1903-6, gaining a patent for his electric tower clock in July 1903. He may have trained as a locksmith - he joined the Association of Locksmiths, Blacksmiths and related craftsmen in Brno in 1916 - but he always seems to have placed importance on the electrical element of his practice.