National Debt Clock

As of 2017[update], it is installed on the western side of the Bank of America Tower, west of Sixth Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets in Manhattan, New York City.

The clock's first incarnation was installed in 1989 on Sixth Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets, one block away from Times Square, by New York real estate developer Seymour Durst, who wanted to highlight the rising national debt.

"[1] Seymour had been toying with the basic idea of drawing attention to the growing national debt since at least 1980, when during the holiday season he sent cards to senators and congressmen that said "Happy New Year.

[6] Built by the New York sign company Artkraft Strauss, the clock featured a dot-based segment display emulating the then-typical character resolution of 5-by-7.

Similar to the second clock, the updating mechanism was such that the display was set to the estimated speed of debt growth (odometer-style) and adjusted weekly according to the latest numbers published by the United States Treasury.

With the original purpose of the clock being to highlight the rising debt, the reversal of the figures gave a mixed message, added to the fact that the display not being designed to properly run backward.

Douglas said that the decision to unplug the clock was made because "it was put up to focus attention on the increasing national debt, and it's served its purpose.

[14] In 2004, the original clock was moved from its location near 42nd Street, and the building where the sign had been mounted was demolished so the Bank of America Tower could be built.

[9][17] The new clock, which can run backward, is outfitted with a brighter seven-segment display with multiple LEDs per segment, allowing the numbers to be read more easily.

"[23] In June 2017, the Durst Organization announced that the National Debt Clock would be moved again so that a new entrance for 1133 Avenue of the Americas could be built.

The clock was moved to the western side of the Bank of America Tower, facing an alley in the middle of the block between Sixth Avenue and Broadway.

However, the innovation of the National Debt Clock was to feature a constantly running counter; it has since inspired similar projects elsewhere, both in the United States and further afield.

[29] According to the Republican Party, the purpose of the RNC's clock was to underscore the fact that national debt had grown at a fast pace under the presidency of Barack Obama, who was then running for reelection.

Photo of the National Debt Clock at Sixth Avenue and 44th Street, at which time it read $19.9 trillion in national debt
The clock at its former location near Sixth Avenue and 44th Street in February 2017, at which time it read $19.9 trillion in national debt
Photo of the first National Debt Clock at the original location near Times Square
The first clock at the original location near Times Square (March 1989)
Photo of the National Debt Clock on September 24, 2004, at which time it read approximately US$7.3 trillion in national debt
The National Debt Clock on September 24, 2004.
Photo of the German national debt clock at the Berlin headquarters of taxpayer watchdog group Bund der Steuerzahler
German national debt clock at the Berlin headquarters of taxpayer watchdog group Bund der Steuerzahler