Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower Quiz

Answer: Benjamin Hall, the first Commissioner for Public Works

It has been argued that Big Ben might have been named after the boxer, who was also had that nickname. However Benjamin Hall's seems much more likely as he was the overall supervisor of the project and his name was inscribed on the bell when it was cast. Disraeli was alive at that time but not given the honour, while Franklin had died some 70 years earlier and was in any case American.

Answer: Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London, UK

It was the largest bell in the U.K. until superseded 20 years later by "Great Paul" hung in St. Paul's Cathedral. The Whitechapel company closed in 2017 after more than 400 years in business. It cast many other famous bells during its existence, including America's "Liberty Bell".

Taylor's now claims to be the world's largest company operating in its field, and also purports to trace its history back to the 14th century. Warner's was also a London bell making enterprise that survived from the late 1700s to the mid 1920s. The McShane company during its lifetime has to date made more than 300,00 bells for buildings across the globe.
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Answer: Same as the Big Nickel in Sudbury Canada, slightly over 13 tons/13210 kgs

It took a team eighteen hours to winch it 180 ft up the central shaft of the tower.

Answer: A

The short tune that they play is called "Westminster Quarters" and is used as the chime in many other church towers. Originally it could be heard up to 9 miles/ 14.5 kilometres away, but not at the time this quiz was written (2021) as the structure was being renovated and the chimes were silent.

Answer: With an oversized crank like those used in early cars to start the engine

Although over the course of time some modernisation has been made to the tower itself (electric lighting added, a toilet installed etc.) little or no changes have been made to the original movement itself since it was assembled more than 160 years ago. Three times a week a mechanic must wind up the monster which takes 1.5 hours. Unfortunately, improvements did not include adding an elevator either, so he must climb 334 stairs up the 316 ft/96 m tower to do the job.

Answer: Rain

The minute hand is 14ft/4.3m long and the hour hand 8.75ft 2.75m long, and weigh 100 kg/220 lbs and 90 kg/198 lbs respectively. Being metal, they will expand and contract with temperature changes which can in turn change the speed up or slow down weight's descent. Likewise, birds roosting on the hands can add further weight, as can the accumulation of bird excrement.

Answer: Adding or removing weight to the pendulum

Cranking would only increase the length of time the weights take to descend
and cannot be cranked in reverse. It would not alter the pendulum speed. Manually advancing or retarding the pendulum speed would nut make a precise enough adjustment.

This is where some modern technology simplifies resolution of the problem. A monitor, like a heart monitor, shows 2 lines. One with the optimum speed for the pendulum to swing between the two arms of the pallet for and one showing the actual speed. The adjustment needed will be the difference between the two readings.

The ingenious solution to the problem goes back many years. The mechanic has a pile of 13 pre-decimalisation one penny copper coins. Adding or subtracting a coin to the pendulum will increase or decrease the speed of each swing by two fifths of a second in one hour. Perhaps a clock maker many years before had run out of the some of the usual assortment of weights that he had and just put his hand in his overalls and came up with just what he needed.

Answer: Opening of the summer Olympic Games 2012

On July 12 2012 at 8.12 in the morning, Big Ben chimed 30 times to commemorate the opening of the 30th Olympiad of the modern era. When Sir Winston Churchill died Big Ben was in fact silenced. The other two events were of course occasions for great celebration but Big Ben did not alter its regular cycle.

Answer: The 4 o'clock number shows as IV

Although IV is correct Roman numerology this is an odd use of IV at that position rather than IIII. At some point in the past a clock maker felt that is looked more aesthetically pleasing and balanced with 3 groups of I's, three of V's and three of X's.and this was generally adopted by the profession. On churches, towers and other large buildings IV will usually show at the 4 o'clock position. However IIII still shows, but far less frequently, more often than not in older structures. In modern wrist watches it is more common.

Answer: Contact their Member of Parliament

Before closure, only U.K. residents were able to arrange for a visit, by contacting their MP and asking for a place on a special guided tour. Waiting time to participate was quite long. Whether these conditions will be relaxed is not yet known.