This is the first concept proof of a chime generator for the 10,000 Year Clock. Through a series of phased geneva wheels, (the large star shaped plates down the center of the mechanism), a progressive algorithm generates a different bell ringing order for each day the clock is visited over the next 10,000 years (over 3.5 million combinations). This is the same algorithm used for Brian Eno’s album “07003.” This prototype is made of aluminum, steel, and brass, but the final, much larger mechanism would be made of monel with cast bronze bells.

The Chime Mechanism was conceptualized by Danny Hillis, project management and additional design by Alexander Rose, lead engineer was Paolo Salvagione, 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 Engnineer courtesy of PTC. All CAM processing is done in GibbsCAM courtesy of Gibbs & Associates. The Long Now Foundation thanks them for their support.