Overview/Location
What country is the Big Ben located in?
London, United Kingdom
In what year did Big Ben start ticking?
1859
Who completed the clock mechanism after Edward John Dent died?
Frederick Dent
What type of force constantly pulls down on Big Ben and its parts?
Gravity
What are the numbers on the clock made of?
Metal pieces about 60 cm long
What famous river runs next to Big Ben?
The River Thames
What event led to the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster?
A devastating fire in 1834
Why don’t the clock hands on Big Ben get affected by wind pressure?
Because of the special escapement mechanism designed by Denison
What type of stress is created by gravity pulling the tower’s weight downward?
Compression
What material is the clock face made from?
Hundreds of pieces of glass
What is the Big Ben surrounded by?
The Big Ben is located at the north end of The Houses of Parliament, in Westminster, Central London, United Kingdom.
When was the foundation of the clock tower laid?
1843
Who were the architects of Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster?
Augustus Pugin and Charles Barry
Why is a strong foundation important for Big Ben?
To prevent it from toppling over due to gravity
How many pieces of glass are in each clock dial?
312
What is the name of the giant Ferris wheel near Big Ben?
The London Eye
What happened to the first bell of Big Ben in 1856?
It cracked during testing
Who designed the clock mechanism and later became Lord Grimthorpe?
Edmund Beckett Denison
What do engineers regularly check for to make sure Big Ben is safe?
Stress, cracks, and shifting in the structure
What special feature lights up when Parliament is in session?
A light on the clock’s face
Why do many tourists visit Big Ben?
To take pictures or admire the unique structure
During which two wars was Big Ben silenced or lit up to avoid enemy attacks?
World War I and World War II
When did the restoration project finish?
December 2021
What part of the tower carries the weight of everything above it?
The stones and bricks at the bottom
What keeps the clock’s accuracy stable using pennies?
Adding or removing pennies on the pendulum