Time flies
As the Corpus Chronophage Clock approaches its fifteenth birthday, we take a look at some of its remarkable secrets.
The Corpus Chronophage Clock is one of the most distinctive public monuments in Cambridge and has been admired by residents and tourists since its inauguration in 2008. It is an unusual device for the measurement of time being both hypnotically beautiful and deeply disturbing. It was invented, designed and given to to the College by Corpus Christi alumnus, Honorary Fellow and benefactor Dr John C Taylor OBE FREng (m1959). It was constructed with local engineering company Huxley Bertram, who continue to maintain the clock today.
The face of the clock is plated in pure gold and the radiating ripples allude to the Big Bang, the seminal event that formed the universe and could be considered the beginning of time. For 13.8 billion years, time has continued to undulate outwards in gilded waves and troughs. It was fitting that the clock was opened by physicist Professor Stephen Hawking, author of the book, A Brief History of Time, alongside Dr Taylor fifteen years ago.
The clock has no hands or digital numbers and at first it appears difficult to tell the time. Vernier slits are cut into the face in three concentric rings, lit from behind by blue LED wheels (2,736 LEDs, which use less energy than three standard 60-watt lightbulbs). These are arranged so that when the escape wheel moves, the lights appear to dart in each ring and pause at the correct hour (innermost ring), minute (centre ring) and second (outer ring). So although the lights give the illusion of flashing in sequence, they are actually exposed mechanically and are always on. Day and night are like that in reality: the sun does not go out; it is simply obscured from our view.
A Latin inscription adorns the pendulum: Joh. Sartor Monan Inv. MMVIII, which translates as follows: Joh. is Johannes, Sartor is the Latin for tailor, Monan is the Isle of Man, Inv. is invenit, a verb with multiple meanings (discovered/made/ brought to fruition), and lastly MMVIII is the year 2008. Thus, "John Taylor of the Isle of Man made it in 2008".
When the hour is struck there is no chiming of bells, but rather the shaking of chains and a hammer hitting a wooden coffin. Time passes and we all die, a fact further represented by the Latin inscription underneath the clock, mundus transit et concupiscentia eius, meaning 'the world and its desires pass away'.
The clock has its own Custodian, Corpus Fellow Professor Ewan St. John Smith.
Atop the wheel sits the Chronophage, the Time Eater. Its ghastly mouth opens at thirty seconds past each minute, snapping shut when the minute is over. It is an example of the rocking grasshopper escapement mechanism invented in the 1700s by John Harrison, who also invented the marine chronometer that enabled sailors to determine longitude. An escapement is a mechanical linkage that checks and releases a clock’s gear train to move forward, advancing the clock's hands. The Corpus clock is believed to be the largest grasshopper escapement of any clock in the world. The escape wheel is made from a single sheet of steel, plated in gold, created by a series of explosions in a vacuum. The radiating ripples that this created allude to the Big Bang.
The Chronophage has fifty tricks when the movement behaves in unusual ways. A set of these tricks are reserved for four special days: John Harrison's birthday (24 March), Dr Taylor's birthday (25 November), New Year's Day and Corpus Christi Day.
An homage to accuracy
A rhodium dish at the base of the clock has ten peaks and troughs, representing the 1/10th of a second accuracy that John Harrison was able to achieve with his clocks. At times, the pendulum points to each of these peaks and troughs in turn.
Playing with time
When stopping, starting, and skipping beats, the clock gets a little out of time, but have no fear, it can run 10 percent faster and 90 percent slower to allow a rapid realignment. This also enables the clock to cope with daylight savings time.
As with all good clocks, the Chronophage has a key, but this one is purely ceremonial. When spun, the key reveals the clock's name. At the top left is an image of the bimetallic thermostat for the electric kettle which was invented by Dr Taylor and which is used around the world one billion times each day.
Slowly does it
In March 2023 an unknown vandal attacked the clock's protective glass with a hammer. The clock had to be removed whilst the glass was repaired (as explained by Custodian of the Clock Professor Ewan St. John Smith). When the time came to reinstall the clock, a special scaffold was constructed and Stewart Huxley of Huxley Bertram carefully replaced it with the assistance of Daniel Mhlanga, a meticulous process that took several days — just some of which is shown in this time-lapse video.
Fifteen years and counting
The Victorian Gothic building that now houses the clock was originally constructed in 1867 as the London and County Bank, and was leased to the National Westminster Bank in the 2000s. Natwest's lease ended in 2005 and the College decided that better student library provision was needed. The then-library was sited under the Parker Library and moving it out of that location would also lead to better facilities for students and researchers to access the Parker Library.
The old Natwest entrance couldn't just be bricked up due to planning restriction. What to do? Thanks to Dr Taylor - alumnus, Honorary Fellow, inventor and horologist. He designed the Corpus Chronophage Clock and generously gifted it to the College. He was also the major benefactor to the new undergraduate library which takes his name. In June 2023, Dr Taylor was made an Honorary Graduate of the University of Cambridge, the highest accolade the University can offer, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in innovation.
With thanks to Dr John C Taylor OBE, Professor Ewan St. John Smith and Stewart Huxley.
The clock is housed in the entrance to a former bank at the corner of Bene't Street and King's Parade.
The clock is housed in the entrance to a former bank at the corner of Bene't Street and King's Parade.
Dr John C Taylor OBE was made an Honorary Graduate of the University of Cambridge.
Dr John C Taylor OBE was made an Honorary Graduate of the University of Cambridge.
Built with Shorthand