An Alarm Clock to Wake the Dead

By Bruce Shawkey

Found this fun little article in a 1960 issue of Europa Star magazine:

To Wake the Dead 

Italy has produced a radio alarm clock guaranteed almost to wake the dead. First it gives out with the comparatively dulcet tones of a normal alarm bell. Then it waits for 20 seconds to give the sleeper time to wake up and turn it off. If this doesn't happen, it proceeds to ring again with the sound ascending to an ear-splitting blast. If this has no effect, a tape recording of wild dogs barking and desperate calls for help starts up. If any sleeper can remain unconscious through this, the clock has a last card to play. A second tape recording adds an anti-aircraft barrage. After this, it is not considered that any normal human being could be asleep. 

Curiously, half a century later, Amazon offers a Sonic Bomb Dual Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker. Extra loud alarm clock brings the loudest alarm clock for folks of all ages. The 113db extra loud sonic bomb alarm clock allows you to adjust the volume and snooze time of the alarm. In addition to these adjustments, the alarm clock features red flashing alert lights specifically designed for heavy sleepers. Also, a separate vibrating pod (seen to the left of the main unit) sets under your mattress and vibrates to provide an additional wake up method.