tim hunkin/giant steam clock

engineer

tim .

. hunkin

cartoonist

THE GIANT STEAM CLOCK, 1984
The Steam clock is situated at Chelsea Farmers market, London, made in collaboration with Andy Plant.
A boiler at the bottom powers a steam engine that winds the clock and blows the whistle on the hour. The two figures on the sides at the top swing out and stuff their fingers in their ears just before the whistle blows. The whistle came from a railway enthusiast’s shop, reputedly from a 19^th century american locomotive.

whole clock.jpg (48244 bytes)

blowing whistle.jpg (10172 bytes)
The whistle used to gush very hot water so we fitted a saucepan round the base to catch the worst of it.

The clock was always difficult to maintain and since Neal's Yard left the shop, it has not run, though its still standing. Chelsea farmer's market is at the bottom of Sydney St, Chelsea London.

cu figure.jpg (5774 bytes)
One of the assistants who puts his fingers in his ears when the whistle blows.

poster.jpg (12106 bytes)
Poster with details of clock produced for Neal's Yard.
Full poster, about 180k