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Interior of Big Ben clock photo taken 1920. For a 21st century expensive make over on YouTube: CLICK HERE |
Why the name? The most widely accepted theory is that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner of Works during the bell's installation. Hall, known for his considerable size, had his name inscribed on the bell, leading to its nickname.
Over time, the nickname "Big Ben" has come to refer not only to the bell but also to the clock and the entire clock tower, which was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
The clockmaker for Big Ben was Edward John Dent, a renowned British clockmaker. Dent was commissioned in 1852 to design and build the clock for the tower. He created the intricate mechanism that would allow the clock to chime the hours with remarkable accuracy.
After Dent's death in 1853, his son, Frederick Dent, completed the clock's construction, ensuring that the design and precision met the standards required for such a monumental project.
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Clocks nearing completion 1859. |
The clock began ticking away in 1859 and has been famously accurate ever since. Big Ben was built as part of the reconstruction of the Palace of Westminster after a devastating fire in 1834 destroyed much of the original structure.
The new Parliament building, designed by architect Sir Charles Barry, was a Gothic Revival masterpiece, and the clock tower (later known as Elizabeth Tower) was an integral part of its design.
The clock tower and the Great Bell (Big Ben) were intended to symbolize the power and stability of Britain's parliamentary democracy. Additionally, the clock's remarkable accuracy and its chimes served as a public timekeeper, ensuring that Londoners could rely on its consistent tolling to regulate their days.
At the time of its completion in 1859, Big Ben's clock tower stood at 316 feet (96 meters), making it one of the tallest clock towers in the world. While it wasn’t among the tallest buildings globally (other taller structures, such as cathedrals and monuments, existed), its prominence and intricate design made it a landmark of engineering and architecture.
The clock itself was notable for being the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world, and it remains an iconic symbol of London and British culture. Its size, precision, and public function made it a marvel of its time, even if not the largest building overall.
Below:
1. One of five bells in the tower and
2. Big Ben on May 11, 1941, the last day of the WW2 London Blitz shows bomb damage above the clocks. Historians note the clocks only lost a second and continued nonstop into modern times.
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