The White House has dozens of historic clocks – and for fifty years one man kept them ticking: Johnny Muffler! Muffler first visited the White House while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was in the U.S. Navy ceremonial guard that took part in an Arrival Ceremony for British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Little did he know that he would spend most of his career on staff there.  In 1945, Muffler’s father-in-law Richard Tracey (a longtime chauffeur at the White House) helped him secure a position as an electrician on staff. His work included installing lightbulbs, programming VCRs, and improving electrical systems as technology evolved– but his primary duty was balancing, repairing, oiling, and winding the historic clocks throughout the White House. His son, Rick, later joined him there, working as a calligrapher and the two ate lunch together in the Electrical Shop most days. When Muffler retired in 1995, he had spent half a century at the White House! White House workers are the backbone of the People's House. Stay tuned as each month we examine a different role, the incredible individuals who have held them, and their influence on White House history. To learn more, check out the Association’s newest research platform, the White House Workers History Project – and if you have further information about a former White House worker, please visit our contact form at whitehouseworkers.org. 📸: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum/NARA