Shepherd Gate Clock, Electric clock at Royal Observatory, England
The Shepherd Gate Clock features an unusual 24-hour analog dial mounted on the external wall of the Royal Observatory entrance in Greenwich.
Charles Shepherd installed this electrical clock system in 1852, creating the first mechanism to display Greenwich Mean Time directly to the general public.
The clock established the foundation for synchronized timekeeping across Britain, eliminating local time variations between eastern and western regions of the country.
The clock mechanism receives electrical signals from a central motor clock inside the observatory building, maintaining precise timekeeping through this connected system.
During World War II, a bomb damaged the clock's dial while leaving the mechanism intact, leading to the installation of a domed replica face.
Location: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Inception: August 1852
Creator: Charles Shepherd
GPS coordinates: 51.47797,-0.00138
Latest update: May 11, 2025 17:14
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