Time Eating Clock at Science Museum

Visitors can see a very unusual time eating clock at Science Museum this year as the Chronophage clock, designed by Dr John Taylor goes on display. Featuring a bizarre creature on top of the timepiece, that literally eats away time, the clock will no doubt be a huge draw to fans of clocks and kinetic art in general.

Time eating clock at Science Museum
Measuring time in a somewhat eclectic fashion, the giant golden clock face features no hands or numbers and displays the correct time every five minutes through light slits. As some minutes appear to race past and others to drag interminably, the Chronophage attempts to show time as it actually appears to those living through it, reflecting on the human nature of feeling time in different ways. The hours are tolled on the clock by the clanking of chains against a small wooden coffin, that remind us of the relatively shortspan of our lives.

Chronophage clock
Measuring 3.3 metres high and with a 1.5 metre gold plated face, which was created by a series of underwater explosions, the time eating clock at Science Museum showcases a stunning mix of art and technology. It took over two years to make, involved over 100 people from artists, engineers, scientists, jewellers and calligraphers, and blends both traditional time measuring devices, such as the spring and rocking escapment which creates the ticking motion, and entirely new technology.

Mythical creature
One of the most notable features visitors will see sitting on top of the time eating clock at Science Museum is the grotesque mythical beast. Itself an integral part of the machinery of the Chronophage clock, the creature is what gives the clock it's name, as it seems to devour time with the movement of the piece, Chronophage literally meaning Time Eater.

Dr Taylor
Designed as a tribute to the English clockmaker John Harrison who solved the problem of measuring longitude at sea in the 18th century, the giant clock is not the only invention to his name. Responsible for around 200 patents in the UK, he is also the creator of the kettle thermostat and the cordless kettle, making sure that cups of tea all over Britain are the right temperature, and don't involve any irritating whistling.

Chronophage, the time eating clock at Science Museum is on display from Monday 18th April - Saturday 1st October 2011. Entrance is free.

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