This piece delves into the history and significance of Big Ben, the iconic landmark nestled within the Elizabeth Tower at London's Houses of Parliament. Originally, the moniker 'Big Ben' was only attached to the bell. Over time, however, it has come to encompass the clock, the tower, and the bell.
Big Ben, famed worldwide, marks each hour with a discernible chime and additional quarter bells that resound every fifteen minutes. The facility boasts advanced security and surveillance systems, including CCTV cameras and alarms, similar to those at airports.
The journey of Big Ben began in 1843 with the initiation of its construction. Almost a decade later, Edward John Dent, a celebrated clockmaker, was appointed to design the clock. Post Dent's demise in 1853, his stepson, Frederick Dent, took the mantle of the project. The years 1856 and 1857 saw the original bell, cast in Northern England, replaced due to a crack. In April 1858, the replacement bell, lighter by 2.5 tons, was cast.
The construction of the tower culminated in 1859, and the clock began telling time in May. The chimes of Big Ben first echoed through London in July. However, within two months, the great bell developed a crack, leading to its temporary decommissioning. A smaller quarter bell chimed on the hour for the next four years.
From New Year's Eve 1923, BBC Radio began broadcasting Big Ben's chimes. Throughout World War II (1939-April 1945), the clock dials were unlit due to blackout regulations. Major repairs commenced in August 1976 and continued intermittently, causing the bell to fall silent for seven weeks in 2007. By 2011, it was noted that Big Ben had started to lean precariously.
In 2012, the tower housing Big Ben was renamed as the 'Elizabeth Tower' in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. It was in 2015 that urgent restoration was declared necessary. The anticipated cost of repair escalated to over $42 million and the clock was slated to remain silent for several months commencing early 2017. The actual cost surged to £79.7 million due to undisclosed World War II bomb damage. Completion was aimed for 2021 initially, but owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline got extended to 2022.
Big Ben has a diametric span of 8'8" and is a towering height of 7'2". The Elizabeth Tower that houses it soars up to 315 feet. The clock, weighing 5 tons, sports hour hands nearly 9 ft long and minute hands almost 14 ft long. Thus, Big Ben continues to stand as an indelible symbol of British history and grandeur.
