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It took two men several hours three times a week to wind up the Clock Tower
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It took two men several hours three times a week to wind up the Clock Tower
It took two men several hours three times a week to wind up the Clock Tower (Elizabeth Tower), so Londoners could get an accurate time. Date: 1900
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Media ID 20953461
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Behind Bens Clock Clockface Cogs Londons Machinery Mechanical Mechanism Westminster Wheel Wind Winding Elizabeth Wind Up
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A Glimpse into the Past: The Unseen Labor of Keeping the Elizabeth Tower's Clock Running This photograph offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of maintaining the Elizabeth Tower, also known as the Clock Tower or Big Ben, in London. The image, taken in the year 1900, shows two dedicated men diligently winding up the intricate mechanical clockface that graces the iconic landmark. The clock, a testament to the ingenuity of the Victorian era, was a marvel of engineering and precision. Its intricate mechanism, consisting of wheels, cogs, and other complex components, required regular winding to ensure the accurate measurement and dissemination of time to the city below. Three times a week, these unnamed clockkeepers would ascend the winding staircase, each carrying a large key, to tend to the clock's needs. The process was a laborious one, taking several hours each visit. The men would insert the key into the winding hole, turning it steadily to wind up the clock's mainspring, ensuring that the clock's hands continued their steady march around the face. The clockface, with its Roman numerals and ornate design, looms large behind the men, a symbol of London's pride and punctuality. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the human effort and dedication required to keep the city's time running smoothly. The Elizabeth Tower's clock, with its unwavering accuracy, remains an enduring symbol of London's rich history and engineering prowess.
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