Big Ben

Big Ben, the bell in the Palace of Westminster's clock tower in London, was cast on April 10, 1858 by Whitechapel Bell Foundry after the original bell had cracked during testing.

The 30,300 lb (13.76 tonne) bell is known as ‘Big Ben’ after Benjamin Hall, First Commissioner of Works at the time.

The second "Big Ben" (centre) and the Quarter Bells from The Illustrated News of the World, 4 December 1858

The Whitechapel Bell Foundry company was established in 1570, making it one of the oldest manufacturing companies in the world. The foundry was located in Whitechapel, London and was known for making church bells and other types of bells.  As well as Big Ben, it also casted Philadelphia's Liberty Bell. The foundry closed on June 12, 2017, after nearly 450 years of bell-making. At the time of the closure of its Whitechapel premises, it was the oldest manufacturing company in Great Britain.

The clock mechanism of Big Ben was designed by Frederick Dent, who oversaw its development. The clock's tower and dial design were conceptualized by other architects, primarily Augustus Pugin, a prominent neo-Gothic architect, who assisted Charles Barry, the project's chief architect.

Shortly after completing his contributions to the tower, including its intricate Gothic details, Pugin suffered from what was described as a "nervous breakdown." His condition worsened, and he was institutionalized in an asylum before dying in 1852, just a year after the design phase.

Charles Barry often overshadowed Pugin's contributions. While Barry received much of the public credit, Pugin famously lamented that he had designed the decorative details, including the clock faces, yet remained unrecognized.

The clock tower at the Houses of Parliament, which houses Big Ben, started keeping time on May 31, 1859. Big Ben rang for the first time on July 11, 1859.

For two years during World War I, the bells were silenced and the clock face darkened at night to prevent attack by German Zeppelins.

The tradition of Big Ben's bongs heralding the news bulletins on the BBC began on December 31, 1923. It's a fascinating story that started with BBC engineer A.G. Dryland climbing onto a rooftop opposite the Houses of Parliament to capture the sound with a microphone, as he wasn't allowed into the clock tower itself.

That first New Year's Eve broadcast was a bit rough, picking up traffic noise along with the chimes. But it marked the beginning of a beloved tradition that continues to this day. Big Ben's bongs can now be heard twice daily on BBC Radio 4 at 6 pm and midnight, and three times on Sundays. 

Although the bells continued to ring, the clock faces were darkened at night through World War II to prevent guiding Blitz pilots.

In 1979 starlings were in such large numbers in London that they stopped Big Ben by landing on the hands.

On April 1, 1980, the BBC reported that Big Ben was getting a digital display. It was of course an April fool.

By © User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons

In 2008 a survey of 2,000 people found that the tower was the most popular landmark in the United Kingdom.

The Big Ben name is often used to mean the tower as well. It is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower.

The Clock Tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in a tribute to Queen Elizabeth in her 2012 Diamond Jubilee Year.

By Diliff - Own work,Wikipedia Commons

Each of the four clock faces of Big Ben are 23 feet (7 meters) in diameter and are made up of 312 panes of glass.

Each of the copper sheet minute hands on Big Ben’s clock faces weigh 222lb (100kg). The end of the 13 foot (4.2m) long minute hands travel 120 miles (190 km) every year

Putting Big Ben’s hands forwards or back in spring or autumn, plus a maintenance check, takes 16 hours.

Pennies are used to keep Big Ben accurate if its losing time. Putting a coin on its pendulum speeds it by two-fifths of a second a day.

Those wishing to go up Big Ben must climb the 334 spiral steps to the top — there is no lift. It is only open to UK residents, who have to apply to their MP.

The 15-minute chimes on Big Ben have lyrics that are based on Psalm 37:23-24 : "All through this hour. Lord be my guide. And by Thy power. No foot shall slide."

The company which maintains Big Ben has staff on 24-hour call should something go wrong.

If Big Ben was built today, it would cost around  £3.7 million ($4.9 million). 

Sources Wikipedia