Corpus Clock Design

The Corpus Clock is a large sculptural clock at street level on the outside of the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, England at the junction of Bene't Street and Trumpington Street, looking out over King's Parade. It was conceived and funded by John C. Taylor, an old member of the college.

The Corpus Clock is a new type of clock, said to be the first of its kind and with six patented features. It is also a piece of public art, having the power to mesmerise onlookers and challenge perceptions of the nature of time.

In parallel with a long and successful career as an inventor, during which he has patented over 150 inventions, John Taylor has had a passion for horology and an interest in creating a true mechanical spring-driven clock in the best tradition of the early English clockmakers Harrison of 'Longitude' fame. Indeed Harrison's 'grasshopper escapement' is one of the main influences on the Corpus Clock. However, instead of being hidden inside the clock, the escapement is external and enlarged, taking the form of a chronophage (time-eater) a fearsome beast that drives the clock, literally eating time. It is believed to be the largest grasshopper escapement of any clock in the world.

But as well as performing its escapement function, the chronophage has a repertoire of slow blinks, jaw snaps and tail movements. Below the monster, the time-telling part of the clock is also highly dynamic. The clock has no hands or digital numbers; instead vernier slits are cut into the face. Blue LEDs are arranged behind the slits so that when the escape wheel moves, lights appear to dart in concentric circles and pause at the correct hour, minute and second. So although the lights give the illusion of flashing in sequence, they are actually exposed mechanically. The clock's total power consumption is less than 60W.