‘Chronophage Clock’ by Dr John Taylor OBE | Science Museum – Till 30 October 2011

Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7

The celebrated time-eating Chronophage clock, designed by Dr John Taylor OBE, is on display at the Science Museum, in The Time-Eating Clock – a story of invention. It is displayed alongside an original Harrison clock in an installation designed to give insight into the mind of one of today’s most creative and successful inventors.

Walking atop the 1.5 metre golden face is a large kinetic sculpture of a mythical beast. The creature, an integral part of the mechanics of the clock, appears to devour time -the name Chronophage literally means Time-Eater from the Greek: Chronos (Time) and Phago (I eat). The hour is tolled by the sound of a chain clanking into a small wooden coffin concealed in the back of the clock to remind us that our time on earth is limited.

The exhibition runs until 30 October 2011.

[ Image: Chronophage Clock by Dr John Taylor OBE © Science Museum ]