The 10,000 Year Clock

Prototype Completed in June 02006

This is the first concept proof of a chime generator for the 10,000 Year Clock. A progressive algorithm is generated through a series of phased geneva wheels, which are the large star-shaped plates running down the center of the mechanism. The algorithm produces a different bell ringing order for each day the clock is visited over the next 10,000 years, resulting in over 3.5 million combinations. The algorithm was also used for Brian Eno's January 07003: Bell Studies for The Clock of the Long Now. The prototype is made of aluminum, steel, and brass; the final, much larger mechanism will be made of monel with cast bronze bells.

The Chime Mechanism was conceptualized by Danny Hillis. Project management and additional design was done by Alexander Rose. The lead engineer was Paolo Salvagione, with additional engineering by Greg Staples. The lead machinist and fabricator was Christopher Rand.

All engineering for the Clock of the Long Now is done in Pro Engineer courtesy of PTC. All CAM processing is done in GibbsCAM courtesy of Gibbs & Associates. The Long Now Foundation thanks them for their support.