“Big Ben” Is Not The Name Of A Clock
Contrary to the impression of many people, “Big Ben” is not the name of the huge clock atop Westminster’s tower, but only of the great bell which strikes the hours, and weighs 13 tons. It was named for Sir Benjamin Hall, First Commissioner of Works, when the bell was hung in the tower. But call it what you will, the clock itself is a marvellous instrument. Extremely accurate, it is now electrically wound and has a very long, freeswinging pendulum that hangs down two floors.
A few years ago, the clock began to lose a fraction of a second a day. To regain its perfect accurate, the weight on the end of the penpulum was increased by adding a few copper pennies.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19500703.2.5
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 64, 3 July 1950, Page 3
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131“Big Ben” Is Not The Name Of A Clock Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 64, 3 July 1950, Page 3
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