Manufactured in 1971, the Copal MG-111 combines the sophistication of the average flip-tile alarm clock with the functionality of a common electrical timer. On the back, there are two non-polarized outlets that allow for the switching of any two devices, up to 1,500 watts total. Features include an audible buzzer alarm (which is quite loud... XD ), manual and automatic switching, and a sleep timer which can be set for up to 90 minutes. Typical applications in the 1970s ranged from switching on a lamp at a specific time to using a stereo system as a sort of alarm clock, to timed recordings of radio broadcasts via reel-to-reel tape.

After switching to digital photography, I decided to trade in my last 35mm camera - a Canon Canonet 28 - for the flip clock timer, because I felt that I'd get more use out of the clock than the camera. Plus, the prices of 35mm film were beginning to skyrocket in my area, deterring me from the film-based photography world altogether.