Corpus Clock, Cambridge

The Corpus Clock, a distinctive timepiece and modern sculptural piece, is a striking feature of the city of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Unveiled in 2008 by Cambridge alumnus Stephen Hawking, the clock is located outside the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge.

Conceived by inventor and horologist John C. Taylor, the Corpus Clock is not just a functional timekeeper but also a work of art that combines elements of historical and contemporary design. Its most prominent feature is the Chronophage, a fearsome, grasshopper-like creature that appears to devour time, perched atop the clock's face. The creature's deliberate movements are a visual representation of the passage of time, reminding viewers of its relentless march forward.

The clock's face, a 24-carat gold-plated disc with no hands or numbers, is illuminated by LEDs that shine through individual slits to indicate hours, minutes, and seconds. The innovative design means that at a glance, the time is not immediately obvious, challenging the observer to ponder the nature of time itself.

The Corpus Clock has quickly become one of Cambridge's most photographed landmarks. Its design reflects a blend of tradition and modernity, with the Chronophage paying homage to the grasshopper escapement, an early timekeeping mechanism developed by the renowned clockmaker John Harrison in the 18th century.