Papers and Presentations

The Evolution of Tower Clock Movements And Their Design Over The Past 1000 Years.

A general overview of various mechanical developments as they relate to tower clocks. Specific categories include, frame design, escapements, remontoire, strike systems, winding and maintaining power systems. All accompanied by photographic examples. Paper ends with a brief description of a small tower clock restoration project. Table of contents below. The paper is a formalization of my notes and slides that I have used over the years in live lectures.

A Brief History of the Great Clock at Westminster Palace, Its concept, construction, the great accident and recent refurbishment.

This paper starts with a history of the clock's beginnings and the fire that destroyed the old Westminster Palace. How the clock was put out for bid and the intrigues between the competitors and the referees. The conflicts between the clockmaker, Edward Dent and the chief architect for the new Palace, Charles Barry which lead to a design compromise that was the source of the great accident which would occur to the clock 114 years later. The heart of the paper is an analysis of the accident itself as conducted by official British forensic scientists. The paper finishes with a description of the recent major overhaul conducted in 2007 for the clock's 150th anniversary. All accompanied by photos and diagrams. The paper is a formalization of my notes and slides that I have used in live lectures.