BIG BEN

[Fox Mike]

Sent to me by a friend. I have been there and heard it but never knew how accurate it really is. This is about 3 minutes and very interesting. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qad6Q_RbQQ0?rel=0

 

[clintsfolly]

Cool!!!

 

[Colonialgirl]

Been there and heard it too, but never realized how accurate it is and how they keep it that way.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Amazing! Now for the dumb question of the day: how did they keep it so accurate before atomic clocks, computers and digital timers came along to check it?

Rick C

 

[JFB]

Hi,

Amazing! Now for the dumb question of the day: how did they keep it so accurate before atomic clocks, computers and digital timers came along to check it?

Rick C

a sundial!

 

[powder smoke]

Very cool thanks for posting. ps

 

[tinman]

I love this kinda stuff.....thanks.

 

[Cholo]

Yes, that was cool!

 

[CGDustDevil]

I thought the video would show a big empty room and four of those little plastic "AA" battery clock works you get at Hobby Lobby! ;)

 

[Pyromike]

Very interesting. I learn something new everyday.

 

[JFB]

I thought the video would show a big empty room and four of those little plastic "AA" battery clock works you get at Hobby Lobby! ;)

that is the case with the lesser know, but more histrocally significant Royal Observatory Greenwich Gate Clock

 

[Critch]

About 15 years ago I was standing on the lawn of the Houses of Parliament and I asked my buddy George what time it was....he turned and pointed to big Ben...such a smart aleck..

 

[WendyZXZ]

Thanks for sharing, that was very impressive!

 

[blume357]

Hi,

Amazing! Now for the dumb question of the day: how did they keep it so accurate before atomic clocks, computers and digital timers came along to check it?

Rick C

Not a sun dial but basically close to that... seems like back in the day with navigation at sea the way to reset your clock was to find land and a clear sky at night and then check the position of the moons of Jupiter. I could be wrong, but that is just one way.

 

[caryc]

If you ask most people, they think that the clock is Big Ben, but it is the largest bell that's named Big Ben.

I was surprised to see that guy winding up the clock works. He said that it takes an hour and a half to wind it. You would think that they would install a small motor so he could just push a button to wind it. But I suppose British tradition forbids that. But I have to admit, the whole thing is impressive.

 

[JFB]

I was surprised to see that guy winding up the clock works. He said that it takes an hour and a half to wind it. You would think that they would install a small motor so he could just push a button to wind it. But I suppose British tradition forbids that. But I have to admit, the whole thing is impressive.

you didn't notice the 3/4 drill motor with the socket bit? (just kidding)

I would also think tradition is a big part of the job

 

[RSIno1]

I was surprised to see that guy winding up the clock works. .... You would think that they would install a small motor .......

And you think US labor unions are strong. Probably even has an apprentice clock winder who actually does the work. Now you know why they didn't go to the Euro - wrong coin to keep the clock on time. I liked how clean and detailed all the clock works are.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Fascinating! I've been there and heard it on two different occasions. Guess that bloke gets his workout winding her up. I'm wonder if that's an every day job, once a week, or how often?

 

[caryc]

Fascinating! I've been there and heard it on two different occasions. Guess that bloke gets his workout winding her up. I'm wonder if that's an every day job, once a week, or how often?

I think they said once a week.

 

[Fox Mike]

Fascinating! I've been there and heard it on two different occasions. Guess that bloke gets his workout winding her up. I'm wonder if that's an every day job, once a week, or how often?

I think they said once a week.

It is wound three times weekly. http://www.funtrivia.com/en/General/Thematic-10Q-Average-A/Answer2757349_6857BA.html

 

[exavid]

Big Ben's builders knew how far the clock was from The Greenwich observatory located at 0 longitude. So at a local noon they'd know how long ago the sun passed the 0 longitude line and set the clock accordingly. Just takes a sextant and a bit of know how. I used to navigate my ketch in the Gulf of Alaska when out of sight of land with a sextant, ephemeris, and chronograph. On a small boat if you can get a position within ten miles of actual you're doing well. GPS was a God send.