Stanford Clock Tower
In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of Stanford Clock Tower, exploring its origins, impact and relevance today. From its emergence to its influence in various spheres of society, Stanford Clock Tower has played a fundamental role in shaping our world. Throughout this detailed analysis, we will examine its most relevant aspects, as well as the controversies and debates it has raised over time. From its impact on popular culture to its influence on politics and the economy, Stanford Clock Tower has positioned itself as a topic of unavoidable interest in contemporary discourse. Join us on this journey of discovery and reflection about Stanford Clock Tower, to better understand its importance and significance in our society.
The Stanford Clock Tower with its attached, colonnaded pergola is located at the so-called “Circle of Death” at the corner of Escondido and Lasuen Malls on the campus of Stanford University. It was built in 1983 by a donation from trustee William Kimball.[1][2]
It holds the mechanical clock, built in 1901 by the Seth Thomas Clock Company,[3] which was originally housed in Stanford Memorial Church’s large belfry. When the belfry collapsed in the 1906 earthquake, the university preserved the chimes in temporary structures near the church, where they continued to chime the hours. (During the 1950s and 1960s the chimes were heard to strike thirteen times at noon, possibly the result of a student prank.) In 1983 the clock and chimes were rehoused in the current clock tower.
The clock mechanism still needs to be hand-cranked twice a week. In 1997, a new temperature-compensating pendulum designed by engineering students was installed to eliminate errors in time-keeping caused by temperature changes.[4]
On May 10, 1983, when then-Stanford president Donald Kennedy unveiled the new clock tower, he burst out laughing: the clock's west face had been covered with Mickey Mouse's face and hands by an unknown prankster.[5]
References
- ^ "William Kimball, former trustee and philanthropist, dies at 86". 28 June 2005.
- ^ "Drew Storen, Erik Davis discuss the 'circle of death'". 14 June 2013.
- ^ San Jose Mercury News Archived 2012-07-13 at archive.today
- ^ Stanford News Service, June 13, 2001
- ^ Stanford Historical Society newsletter, Summer 1983 Archived 2010-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
Further reading
- Joncas, Richard, and David J Neuman, and Paul V Turner. Stanford University. Princeton Architectural Press. 1999. Pg 134.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20080519134751/http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2005/4/28/towerClockToTickInTimeForAdmitWeekend