How big is Big Ben?

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary: "How Big is Big Ben?"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
• Host/Author: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media
• Episode Title: How Big is Big Ben?
• Release Date: February 26, 2025

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Introduction

In the February 26, 2025 episode of Who Smarted?, titled "How Big is Big Ben?", listeners are taken on an educational and entertaining journey into the heart of London to explore the iconic Big Ben. Hosted by Atomic Entertainment and Starglow Media, this episode seamlessly blends humor with fascinating historical and scientific insights, making it an engaging listen for both children and their parents.

Segment 1: Setting the Scene in London

The episode begins with the host announcing a virtual holiday "across the pond," prompting little detective Little Ben to reveal his presence in London. Through playful banter, Little Ben introduces himself as an expert on Big Ben, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of the famous clock tower.

• Quote:
  Host [00:00]: "I'm in a most wonderful country. Here, I'll give you some clues. See if you can guess where I am. Ready? It's the land of tea, kings and queens and driving on the wrong side of the road."
  Little Ben [00:25]: "Okay, first of all, it's not the wrong side of the road. Secondly, there's a lot more to England than those three stereotypes."

Segment 2: Understanding Big Ben

Little Ben clarifies a common misconception: Big Ben is not the name of the clock tower itself but rather the massive bell housed within it. This distinction is crucial for understanding the structure's true identity—the Elizabeth Tower.

• Quote:
  Little Ben [04:42]: "Well, strictly speaking, we're not."
  Host [04:46]: "We’re not. Didn’t we just sneak into the clock tower after you distracted the guards with your impression of Prince Harry?"

The conversation delves into the architectural details of the Elizabeth Tower, highlighting its dimensions and the impressive 334-step climb required to reach the clock.

• Quote:
  Little Ben [05:18]: "The famous clock tower is 96.3 meters tall and 12.1 meters wide on each of its sides."
  Host [05:29]: "That's 316ft tall, about the length of an American football field and 10ft taller than the Statue of Liberty."

Segment 3: The History and Construction of Big Ben

The episode explores the historical backdrop of Big Ben’s construction. After a fire destroyed much of the original Parliament building in 1834, a royal commission initiated a public competition to redesign the structure. Little Ben reveals that 97 contestants submitted designs, with the commission ultimately selecting the 64th entry, designed by Charles Barry.

• Quote:
  Host [06:02]: "When they held the design competition for the new parliament building in 1835, how many people do you think submitted a design? Was it A, 30 people, B, 97 people, or C, 4012 people? If you guessed B 97, you're right, you're right."
  Little Ben [07:02]: "64 ain't a lucky number."

Charles Barry collaborated with Augustus Pugin, an architect renowned for his expertise in clock towers, to bring Big Ben to life. Their partnership ensured that the clock tower was not only functional but also a stunning architectural marvel.

Segment 4: Engineering Marvels and Unique Features

The discussion transitions to the mechanical aspects of Big Ben. Little Ben explains that the clock is entirely mechanical, relying on gravity-powered pendulums to maintain its accuracy. Engineers meticulously monitor these pendulums, adjusting them with small weights to ensure the clock remains precise.

• Quote:
  Little Ben [16:04]: "When it came time to build the actual clock in 1846, another competition was out to choose who would build it."
  Host [17:08]: "What causes the clock to run? The answer is the very first episode of who Smarted."

Additionally, the episode touches on the resilience of Big Ben, noting that while the original bell cracked and was replaced, the current bell operates effectively despite its imperfections. The clock’s ability to withstand various weather conditions and its temporary shutdowns during the World Wars are also highlighted.

• Quote:
  Little Ben [15:19]: "It took 16 horses because the bell was so bloody heavy."
  Host [16:08]: "Has it ever told the wrong time?"
  Little Ben [16:50]: "The completely mechanical clock uses a series of pendulums that rely on gravity."

Segment 5: Fun Facts and Trivia

To keep young listeners engaged, the episode sprinkles in fun trivia about Big Ben, such as its visibility from various points in London and the existence of a historic prison within the tower, once used for disciplining unruly Parliament members.

• Quote:
  Host [08:42]: "But wait, there's more. The famous clock tower is 96.3 meters tall and 12.1 meters wide on each of its sides."
  Little Ben [09:36]: "But nobody knows the answer. Some say it's named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the installation of the great bell."

Segment 6: Climbing to the Top

The climax of the episode simulates the experience of climbing to the top of the Elizabeth Tower. Despite initial reluctance from the host about the extensive number of steps, Little Ben ensures a humorous and informative ascent, culminating in a metaphorical "elevator ride" thanks to a modern renovation.

• Quote:
  Host [18:04]: "Wow. I guess time flies when you're learning about. Well, time. Uh, wait a second. Is that an elevator?"
  Little Ben [18:16]: "Oh, yeah. A few years ago, Big Ben underwent a 29 million pound renovation which included a brand new lift or elevator, as you say."

Conclusion and Credits

As the episode wraps up, listeners are reminded of the episode's educational value and the collaborative effort behind its production. The credits highlight the talented team involved, from writers and voice actors to sound designers and producers, ensuring a high-quality listening experience.

• Quote:
  Host [18:27]: "This episode, Big Ben was written by Phil Just in Time Jeremy and voiced by Sam in the nick of Time and Shredder and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Our Hand Hun who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room studios."

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Key Takeaways

• Big Ben's True Identity: Big Ben refers to the large bell within the Elizabeth Tower, not the tower itself.
• Historical Significance: The Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben were constructed following a fire that destroyed the original Parliament building in 1834.
• Mechanical Precision: The clock operates mechanically, relying on gravity and pendulums to maintain accuracy.
• Architectural Collaboration: Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin worked together to design the iconic structure.
• Fun and Learning: The episode effectively combines humor with educational content, making complex history and engineering concepts accessible to young listeners.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Guessing Location:
  Host [00:00]: "I’m in a most wonderful country... driving on the wrong side of the road."
  Little Ben [00:25]: "Okay, first of all, it’s not the wrong side of the road. Secondly, there’s a lot more to England than those three stereotypes."

• Defining Big Ben:
  Little Ben [04:42]: "Big Ben is not actually the name of the clock tower. It’s the name of the bell inside the clock."

• Historical Construction:
  Host [06:02]: "When they held the design competition for the new parliament building in 1835..."
  Little Ben [07:02]: "64 ain’t a lucky number."

• Clock Mechanics:
  Little Ben [16:50]: "The completely mechanical clock uses a series of pendulums that rely on gravity."

• Renovation Insight:
  Little Ben [18:16]: "Big Ben underwent a 29 million pound renovation which included a brand new lift or elevator."

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Who Smarted? successfully demystifies one of London's most renowned landmarks, Big Ben, through engaging dialogue and well-researched content. By blending humor with education, the podcast not only entertains but also fosters a deeper appreciation for history and engineering among its young audience. Whether used in classroom settings or enjoyed at home, "How Big is Big Ben?" exemplifies why Who Smarted? is a favorite among kids, parents, and educators alike.

Transcript

[Host]

And now it's time for who's Smarted? Hey, smarty pants. I'm on holiday across the pond, so to speak. And while I may be a wee bit jet lagged, I'm also chuffed because right now I'm in a most wonderful country. Here, I'll give you some clues. See if you can guess where I am. Ready? It's the land of tea, kings and queens and driving on the wrong side of the road.

[Little Ben]

Okay, first of all, it's not the wrong side of the road. Secondly, there's a lot more to England than those three stereotypes.

[Host]

Hey, spoiler alert. You just gave away the answer.

[Little Ben]

It was pretty bloody obvious, mate. Not that your terrible accent helped much.

[Host]

Yes, sorry about that. And the other stuff too. I won't do that again.

[Little Ben]

Yes, and we're all better for it.

[Host]

Right, um, who might you be?

[Little Ben]

Now, the name's Little Ben on account of the fact that I'm just one and a half meters tall. That's five feet for you non metric users. And I was born and raised right here in the center of London.

[Host]

Wait, your name is Little Ben? Like the opposite of Big Ben? The world famous clock tower?

[Little Ben]

That's right. And it just so happens that Little Ben is an expert on all things Big Ben. Really?

[Host]

That's terrific. Because coincidentally, I just tried to join a tour group to see the inside of Big Ben, but it was sold out.

[Little Ben]

Well then it looks like you're in luck, because Little Ben will happily take you on a very special tour of his own.

[Host]

Really? Also, does Little Ben always speak in the third person?

[Little Ben]

That he does. So what are you looking to know about Big Ben?

[Host]

Well, why is its name Ben? When was Big Ben first built? And why? And how did Big Ben become one of the most famous clocks on the planet?

[Little Ben]

I'd say it's the most famous and popular.

[Host]

Hey, I couldn't get a ticket, so no arguments here.

[Little Ben]

Come on, follow me. I'll sneak you in.

[Host]

Great. It's time for a timely whiff of science and history on who's smarted.

[Little Ben]

Who's smarted? Who's smart?

[Host]

Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. Hey, smarty parents. I know the struggle of wanting to create the best future for the children in your life. That's why I'm thrilled to share my experience with IXL learning. Recently, the 8 year old child of one of our main whosarted writers started struggling with math. They tried everything and felt helpless. Then I told them about our partner IXL and it changed everything. Iexcel is an online learning program that covers math, language, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K to 12th grade. What sets it apart is how it adapts to each child's needs. His daughter loves the positive feedback and fun challenges. And the best part? IXL's research backed approach has made a world of difference in her confidence and her grades. It's like having a personal tutor, but at a fraction of the cost. A month of IXL costs less than one hour with a tutor each. Even before our smarty family 20% discount don't let your child fall behind. Join the millions of families benefiting from IXL. Visit ixl.com smarted and get 20% off your membership. That's ixl.com smarted for 20% off. Give your child the gift of learning with IXL. Hey smarty parents. I love Green Chef because of how absolutely easy the meals are to make and how every night it feels like we're eating at a restaurant right at home. The variety is excellent and includes meals for special diets like keto, gluten free and calorie smart. With pre portioned ingredients, there's less prep, less mess and more time to enjoy delicious meals. Green Chef's easy to follow directions means my kitchen phobic family members actually cook when we get our Green Chef kit. And it's a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen too. Plus, Green Chef is owned by HelloFresh, which lets me switch between the brands for even more variety. And now my listeners can enjoy both at a discount with me. Thrive all year with clean easy meals from Green chef. Go to greenchef.com smartedfree and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. That's greenchef.com smarted free and use code Smarted Free to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. Green Chef the number one meal kit for eating well. Wow. I can't believe we're actually inside of Big Ben.

[Little Ben]

Well, strictly speaking, we're not.

[Host]

We're not. Didn't we just sneak into the clock tower after you distracted the guards with your impression of Prince Harry?

[Little Ben]

Yes, but Big Ben is not actually the name of the clock tower. It's the name of the bell inside the clock.

[Host]

Oh, I did not know that. Did you know that, smarty pants? So what are we standing inside?

[Little Ben]

We are standing inside the Elizabeth Tower, which itself is part of the British houses of Parliament. And in which sits Big Ben, the biggest, but not the only bell.

[Host]

Wow, that's a lot to take in.

[Little Ben]

But wait, there's more. The famous clock tower is 96.3 meters tall and 12.1 meters wide on each of its sides.

[Host]

That's 316ft tall, about the length of an American football field and 10ft taller than the Statue of Liberty. And 40ft wide. Or half a tennis court for us across the Ponders. Anyway, please continue.

[Little Ben]

The climb up from street level to the clock itself is 334 steps.

[Host]

That's a lot of steps, no matter which side of the pond you're on.

[Little Ben]

Indeed. We best get stepping.

[Host]

So when was Big Ben. I mean, the Elizabeth Tower, actually, it's all right, mate.

[Little Ben]

You can call the whole thing Big Ben. Everybody does nowadays.

[Host]

Oh, thanks, Little Ben. So when was Big Ben actually built? And why?

[Little Ben]

Well, there used to be an old Parliament building before Big Ben was part of the structure. But in 1834, most of that building burned down. Only a few original sections remained. Then in 1835, a royal commission was appointed to organize a public competition to choose the design of the new Parliament building.

[Host]

A public competition? So anyone could have designed Big Ben?

[Little Ben]

That's right, mate.

[Host]

Smarty pants. When they held the design competition for the new parliament building in 1835, how many people do you think submitted a design? Was it A, 30 people, B, 97 people, or C 4012 people? If you guessed B 97, you're right, you're right.

[Little Ben]

97 helpful contestants threw their hats into the ring. And get this, the commission voted unanimously on number 64.

[Host]

Wow. Lucky number 64.

[Little Ben]

64 ain't a lucky number.

[Host]

Well, it was for whoever won the contest. Besides, 64 isn't an unlucky number. There's 64 crayons in a Crayola 64 pack. There's Nintendo 64, and 64 is the Atomic number of Gedelinia.

[Little Ben]

You done?

[Host]

Sure.

[Little Ben]

I suppose 64 was a lucky number for the winner, Mr. Charles Barry.

[Host]

Wow. So he designed Big Ben all by himself?

[Little Ben]

Not quite. Oh, Charles Barry did design the new Houses of Parliament, but he turned to another architect, Augustus Pugin, to help with the clock tower. You see, clock towers were kind of Augustus thing at the time. He designed a posh old mansion, probably haunted, called Skysbrick hall, which had its own clock tower.

[Host]

Wow. Imagine having a clock tower in your house. On second thought, that could be a little noisy.

[Little Ben]

Like I was trying to say, Charles Barry saw Augustus Puget's design of Skiesbrook hall and really liked the clock tower. So he called up old Augustus and said, hi, mate, I just won a contest to redesign Parliament. Yeah, I know, it's a big deal. Anyway, I was thinking of putting a clock tower on it. It'll look cool. Plus, people will be able to know what time it is from almost anywhere in the city.

[Host]

Smarty pins. True or false? Big Ben can be seen from anywhere in London. The answer is true and false. Big Ben was built to be seen anywhere in London at the time. But today, some newer buildings obstruct the view from certain places.

[Little Ben]

The best place, of course, to see Big Ben is from the Westminster Bridge. Anyway, we're getting ahead of ourselves. Back in 1835, Charles and Augustus threw their designs together and construction on the new Parliament building and Big Ben began.

[Host]

Cool, smarty pants. Any guess how long construction on Big Ben took? Was it A, 11 months, B, 9 years, or C, 16 years?

[Little Ben]

The answer is it took 16 bloody years.

[Host]

Really?

[Little Ben]

Really? Things took a long time back then. Speaking of time, looks like it's top of the hour. Keep climbing.

[Host]

So loud. So many steps.

[Little Ben]

Ah, stop your bloody whining.

[Host]

Sorry. Say, Little Ben, is there other stuff inside Big Ben besides the clock?

[Little Ben]

Sure. There's pendulums, there's the clock's mechanisms, and there's a prison.

[Host]

Wait, there's a prison inside Big Ben?

[Little Ben]

Yep. But don't worry, no one's been locked up in there since 1880. Back in the day, that prison was for members of Parliament who broke the rules. But technically, the Sergeant at arms who is responsible for maintaining order in the Parliament can still make arrests, so best be on good behavior, mate.

[Host]

I will. Okay, so Big Ben and the Parliament buildings were rebuilt after a fire. The design was by a man named Charlie, and the clock was designed by a man named Augustus. But what I want to know is, why is it called Big Ben? Ben? Who's Ben, smarty pants? Any idea?

[Little Ben]

I doubt they know.

[Host]

Hey, never count out the smarty pants. We'll find out right after this quick break. Hi, guys. It's trusty. Today's episode is brought to you by Squarespace. And I need to tell you about their new design intelligence feature, because it's a game changer for anyone who's been putting off creating a website. Look, I know how intimidating tech can feel, but Squarespace's AI powered design system literally transforms your basic ideas into a beautiful professional website. We've used Squarespace to build websites here at Atomic, and what I love is that it combines AI tech with their decades of design expertise. You answer a few simple questions and it creates a fully customized site that actually looks good. No more staring at a blank screen wondering where to start, and no need to spend thousands of dollars getting a site designed for a passion project or experimental idea. Plus, their payment system makes it super easy to get paid for your services. Whether you're selling courses, booking consulting sessions or offering downloads. They've got all the popular payment options like Apple Pay and Klarna built right in. Head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial and use code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Hey smarty parents. I love Green Chef because of how absolutely easy the meals are to make and how every night it feels like we're eating at a restaurant right at home. The variety is excellent and includes meals for special diets like keto, gluten free and calorie Smart. With pre portioned ingredients, there's less prep, less mess and more time to enjoy delicious meals. Green Chef's easy to follow directions means my kitchen phobic family members actually cook when we get our Green Chef kit and it's a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen too. Plus, Green Chef is owned by HelloFresh, which lets me switch between the brands for even more variety. And now my listeners can enjoy both at a discount with me. Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green chef. Go to greenchef.com and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. That's greenchef.com smartedfree and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months plus 50 percent off your first box. Green Chef the number one meal kit for eating well. Hey smarty parents, I know the struggle of wanting to create the best future for the children in your life. That's why I'm thrilled to share my experience with with IXL learning. Recently, the 8 year old child of one of our main who smarted writers started struggling with math. They tried everything and felt helpless. Then I told them about our partner IXL and it changed everything. IXL is an online learning program that covers math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K to 12th grade. What sets it apart is how it adapts to each child's needs. His daughter loves the positive feedback and fun challenges. And the best part? IXL's research backed approach has made a world of difference in her confidence and her grades. It's like having a personal tutor but at a fraction of the cost. A month of IXL costs less than one hour with a tutor. Even before our smarty family 20% discount. Don't let your child fall behind. Join the millions of families benefiting from IXL. Visit ixl.com smarted and get 20% off your membership. That's ixl.com smarted for 20% off. Give your child the gift of learning with IXL. Now back to who's smarted. Okay, smarty pants. We learned that the clock tower isn't named Big Ben, but rather the big bell, which is named Big Ben. Is that it? Also, does that mean an hour has gone by?

[Little Ben]

Actually, that wasn't Big Ben, you just said. That was the quarter bells.

[Host]

Oh. So how do the bells work?

[Little Ben]

Big Ben, the largest bell, chimes every hour on the hour, and every 15 minutes, four smaller bells, called quarter bells, chime instead.

[Host]

Gotcha. But why is it named Big Ben? And why would you assume the smarty pants wouldn't know the answer?

[Little Ben]

Because nobody knows the answer. Some say it's named after Sir Benjamin hall, who oversaw the installation of the great bell. Others think it was named after English heavyweight boxing champ Benjamin Kong.

[Host]

Ah, I see.

[Little Ben]

What's interesting about the big bell is that it's not actually the original bell. The first Big Ben bell developed a big crack in 1857. 1.2 meters long, to be exact.

[Host]

That's almost four feet.

[Little Ben]

It was replaced with another bell a year later, which was brought onto the site by 6. 16 white horses.

[Host]

Fancy.

[Little Ben]

Yep. Also, it took 16 horses because the bell was so bloody heavy. On July 11, 1859, the new big Ben finally chimes for the first time. Yes, but this new bell also gets a crack through it.

[Host]

No.

[Little Ben]

That'S when the blokes in charge said, we can't afford to get a new bloody bell every year.

[Host]

Plus 16 horses.

[Little Ben]

Exactly. So what do they do? They turn the bell 90 degrees and switched out the hammer that hits the bell for a lighter hammer. And what's really cool is the crack is still in the bell to this day. But as you can hear, it works just fine.

[Host]

What about the clock? How does it work? And has it ever told the wrong time?

[Little Ben]

When it came time to build the actual clock in 1846, another competition was out to choose who would build it.

[Host]

Wow. You guys sure love contests.

[Little Ben]

Oh, yeah. And the judge was the Queen's Royal Astronomer, Sir George Arry. Any guesses why?

[Host]

What do you think, smarty pants? Yeah, I'm not sure either. Why was the Queen's Royal Astronomer involved? In picking the clock design because it.

[Little Ben]

Had to be the most accurate clock in the world.

[Host]

Huh. Makes sense.

[Little Ben]

And was it indeed? George Airy took six years to settle on a clock design by Edmund Beckett Dennison. From there, they enlisted Edward John Dent and Frederick Dent to build it.

[Host]

Nice smarty pants. True or false? The Big Ben clock is powered by electricity. Did you say false? So what causes the clock to run? The answer is the very first episode of who Smarted. Did you say gravity?

[Little Ben]

Yep. The completely mechanical clock uses a series of pendulums that rely on gravity. These pendulums are monitored by engineers to make sure it's accurate to within two seconds per week. Whoa. And if the time is off by just one second, the engineers place a penny or two on the pendulum. Adding just that tiny extra weight makes it go that much faster.

[Host]

Has Big Ben ever stopped working?

[Little Ben]

Just had to go there, huh? The truth is, Big Ben has stopped a few times, usually due to heavy snow or extremely hot or cold temperatures. But it's usually back up and running in no time. Although During World Wars I and 2, the clock was stopped entirely and its light was turned off to make it less visible to enemies flying overhead. Cool.

[Host]

Hey, have we reached the top? Are we inside the clock?

[Little Ben]

Indeed. Cheers, mate. You climbed all 334 steps?

[Host]

Wow. I guess time flies when you're learning about. Well, time. Uh, wait a second. Is that an elevator?

[Little Ben]

Oh, yeah. A few years ago, Big Ben underwent a 29 million pound renovation which included a brand new lift or elevator, as you say.

[Host]

And you made me take the stairs. Little Ben, you are such a. A big. Across the pond. Shout out to Zach in Newcastle, England. When asked what he loves most about who's Smarted, Zack replied, because the trusty narrator can explain things better than my mummy. Well, I'm not getting in the middle of that to debate, but I will say I'm glad you love smarting with us, Zach. This episode, Big Ben was written by Phil Just in Time Jeremy and voiced by Sam in the nick of Time and Shredder and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Our Hand Hun who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room studios. Our associate producer is Max Clocktower Kamaski. The theme song is by Brian Quarterbell Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Clocks Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adaptex Davis and Jerry Colber. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production. Who Smarted Starglow.