The BBC broadcasting the ringing sequence as part of its worldwide programming means that Big Ben is one of the most famous clocks in the world. This mic has quite a low sensitivity, so it could be placed in the tower right under the bell. Engineers had to experiment to find the right balance between the sensitivity of the microphone, and how far away it needed to be placed to get a clear sound without background noise. This STC 4035 microphone is one that was used for broadcasting the chimes. This meant that the chimes could be broadcast throughout the day, keeping everyone on time. Later, a modified microphone was installed in the Elizabeth Tower underneath Big Ben and connected to Broadcasting House. The bell is better known by the nickname Big Ben, which is often mistakenly applied to the clock tower itself.The Clock Tower was also referred to as St Stephens Tower. The chimes striking midnight to ring in a new year is still a key feature of New Year’s Eve broadcasting in the UK. The main bell, officially known as the Great Bell, is the largest bell in the tower and part of the Elizabeth Tower, formerly known as the Great Clock Tower. Dryland recorded the sound from a roof opposite the Houses of Parliament, catching some traffic noise in the process. But the chimes of Big Ben were considered both accurate markers of time and a symbol of Britishness itself, so it seemed natural to broadcast Big Ben’s bongs on New Year’s Eve 1923. When the BBC first started in 1922, the hourly chimes were actually played by the announcer on a set of chime bells in the studio. Modified for broadcasting the chimes of Big Ben, with a special mounting spigot fitted on the back for use directly below the bell. © The Board of Trustees of the Science MuseumĪn STC 4035 microphone, made by Standard Telephone and Cables Ltd, about 1950.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London STC 4035 Microphone (modified for Big Ben)
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