Big Ben was the name given to the
bell of the clock tower of Westmin-
ster Palace (also called the Houses
of Parliament) in London. Soon,
the name came to include the clock
as well. The clock, famous for its
accuracy, was designed by Edmund
Beckett, Baron Grimthorpe, built
by E.J. and Richard Dent, and in-
stalled in the 318-foot high clock
tower to begin operation on May
31, 1859.
The clock has four faces, each 23
feet in diameter, one on each side
of the clock tower. The minute
hand on each face is 14 feet long.
The hour hands are 9 feet long. Big
Ben's first bell was never installed.
It cracked before it could be used.
The second bell also cracked, but
not badly, so it was used despite
the defect. Big Ben's chimes,
which play their full tune just
before each hour, are based on a
passage from Handel's Messiah.
