![]() And even fewer know that Latin inscriptions are carved into the clock. Few know that coins are used to keep the clock accurate. But while everyone can identify Big Ben, few know about its incredible history. It’s appeared in movies, been printed on t-shirts and has become a lasting symbol of Great Britain. The world famous clock has told time and its bells have rung through the streets of London for more than 150 years. Big Ben-the 315-foot tower atop the Palace of Westminster-will be shut down in early 2017 to undergo $42 million worth of repairs. This pendulum measures thirteen feet in length and weighs nearly 700 pounds.The most iconic clock in the world is getting some overdue love. Also interesting to note is the fact that the crack in the bell results in a less-than-perfect tone, and coins are actually used to regulate the pendulum as needed. Paul’s Cathedral overtook that honor in 1881, however. When it was cast, for example, it was the biggest bell in all the British Isles. There are plenty of other interesting facts about Big Ben. The crack wasn’t as severe as the crack in the original bell, however, and after some repairs, the new clock was re-established in the tower. Unfortunately, after only two months of service, the new Big Ben bell cracked. ![]() ![]() It was finished in 1858, and the first time that it rang with the other Great Clock of Westminster bells was on May 31, 1859. ![]() The Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which is still based in London to this day, was called upon to cast the new bell. Unable to be repaired, it had to be replaced instead. While it was being tested in the Palace Yard at Westminster, the original Big Ben bell cracked. Along the way, this procession crossed both the London Bridge and Westminster Bridge. In fact, crowds cheered the procession on as it made its way to the yard. The moving of the bell to this site generated a lot of attention. Since the tower that was supposed to house the Great Bell wasn’t yet finished, it was set up in the Westminster Palace Yard. John Warner & Sons at Stockton-on-Tees was the company that was responsible for making the bell, and they completed the task on August 6, 1856. The first Great Bell that was constructed for the Big Ben clock tower weighed sixteen tons. Either the large bell, or the Great Bell, as it is also commonly labeled, was named after the English heavyweight boxing champion of the day, Benjamin Caunt, or after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the installation of the Great Bell itself. Two possibilities remain the most credible. Interesting to point out is the fact that historians aren’t quite sure how the Big Ben appellation originally came into being. Over time, however, the name has come to encompass the entire clock tower. The name "Big Ben" officially refers to the largest bell in the Palace of Westminster’s St. ![]() Save for a few breakdowns and outages, it has been keeping time for more than 150 years. The tower itself was completed in 1858, as is true of the Great Bell that is housed inside. As for when Big Ben was built, work on the new Palace of Westminster began with the laying of the foundation stone in 1840. The faces of the four clocks are an impressive 23 square feet in size, and as for the Great Bell, it stands seven-and-a-half feet tall. Some of the most popular questions about the structure include how tall is Big Ben and when was Big Ben built? The famous tower on the banks of the River Thames measures 316 feet in height. ![]()
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