A Brief History of the Corpus Clock, Cambridge

If you’ve ever visited Cambridge and wandered down Trumpington Street, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of something rather bold and unusual and thought… ‘what is that grasshopper clock?’ That striking timepiece is none other than the Corpus Clock, one of the most fascinating and unique landmarks in the city.
The Corpus Clock in Cambridge is far more than just a decorative piece—it is an intricate blend of art, science, and engineering, designed to challenge our perception of time. Created by Dr. John C. Taylor and unveiled in 2008 by Stephen Hawking, the Corpus Clock is famous for its eerie, mechanical grasshopper-like creature perched atop, known as the "Chronophage" or "time-eater."
Since its unveiling, this Cambridge Clock has intrigued both tourists and academics alike, symbolizing the relentless passage of time and serving as a powerful reminder of its fleeting nature. But what makes this Corpus Clock so special, and why does it continue to draw fascination from visitors around the world?
In this article, we’ll explore the history, design, and significance of the Corpus Clock and uncover the story behind one of Cambridge’s most remarkable inventions, now recognized globally as an iconic Cambridge Clock.
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Firstly, a Few Facts…
- The ripple design of the clock’s face alludes to the Big Bang, with the center symbolizing the beginning of time.
- The ‘grasshopper’ that sits atop is actually a Chronophage, which means time-eater, devouring each minute as it passes with a jaw that snaps shut.
- The clock has no digital numbers or hands, making it difficult at first glance to tell the time. Instead, three LED rings show the hours, minutes, and seconds. These LEDs are only expected to last around 25 years, meaning the clock will require regular servicing.
- When an hour strikes, there is no chime. Instead, passersby will hear the shaking of chains and a hammer hitting a wooden coffin—a rather morbid sound that represents the passage of time, which ultimately leads to death.
- The Latin inscription beneath the clock reads "Mundus transit et concupiscentia eius", meaning "The world and its desires pass away."
What is the Corpus Clock?
The Corpus Clock is a one-of-a-kind timepiece, located outside the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. It was designed by Dr. John C. Taylor and officially unveiled in 2008. Unlike traditional clocks that use hands or digital displays, the Corpus Clock tells time in a completely unique way.
The face of the clock is a gold-plated stainless steel disc, representing the ripples of the Big Bang—a reference to the origin of time itself. Instead of conventional numbers, time is displayed using three concentric LED-lit rings, which indicate the hours, minutes, and seconds. At the top of the clock sits the Chronophage, a mechanical grasshopper that "eats" time as it passes.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Corpus Clock is that it does not always keep perfect time. Instead, it deliberately speeds up, slows down, and even stops momentarily—only aligning to the correct time every five minutes. This feature is meant to reflect the irregularity of human perception of time—sometimes it feels like time is dragging, while at other moments, it seems to fly by.
Adding to its eerie nature, the clock makes no chime on the hour. Instead, the passing of time is marked by the sound of chains rattling and a hammer striking a wooden coffin, a stark reminder of time’s relentless march toward mortality.
Where is the Corpus Clock?
The Corpus Clock is located at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, on the corner of Trumpington Street and Bene’t Street. It is mounted on the exterior wall of the Taylor Library, making it visible to the public at all times.
For those visiting Cambridge, the Corpus Clock is easy to find:
📍 Address: Corpus Christi College, Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RH, UK
📍 Nearest Landmark: Across the street from King’s Parade, near King’s College Chapel
How to Visit the Corpus Clock:
- The Corpus Clock is outdoors, meaning you can visit it at any time of day, free of charge.
- If you want to learn more about its history and mechanics, consider taking a guided walking tour of Cambridge, many of which include stops at the clock.
- Since it is located near several other famous Cambridge landmarks—including King’s College and The Fitzwilliam Museum—it’s an easy addition to any Cambridge sightseeing itinerary.
The Origins of the Corpus Clock
The Corpus Clock is rooted in centuries of horological innovation, drawing inspiration from John Harrison’s grasshopper escapement, a revolutionary 18th-century mechanism. Below is a timeline of key events that led to the creation of this extraordinary Cambridge Clock.
- 1725: English inventor John Harrison invents the grasshopper escapement—a mechanical cog-like device that helps regulate a clock’s pendulum movement and improves timekeeping accuracy.
- 1999: Cambridge alumnus and horologist Dr. John C. Taylor, best known for inventing the cordless kettle switch, returns to the city after graduating in 1956. Noticing that his former college, Corpus Christi, had remained unchanged for decades, he offers to fund the transformation of an old bank building into a new library. As part of this renovation, he decides to create the Corpus Chronophage, which would occupy the old bank’s front entrance.
- 2001 - 2008: Working closely with local engineers at Huxley Bertram, Taylor and his team spend seven years designing and constructing the clock. The intricate and highly specialized design stretched the limits of engineering, with some parts requiring underwater construction at a secret Dutch military research facility.
On his website, John C. Taylor describes his initial inspiration for the clock:"I was inspired to create the Chronophage because of modern art. I’ve never been a fan of it, so I wanted to create something that was modern art but had a bit more to it. I wanted to find a new way of telling time. My idea with the Chronophage was to turn the clock inside out, and then make the tiny little escapement and the grasshopper into the biggest gear on the clock. I wanted impact, so I made it one and a half meters in diameter, with the grasshopper a meter long on the top. Its legs became the pallets of the escapement, which John Harrison designed. This means you can actually see the grasshopper escapement working."
How the Corpus Clock Works
The clock’s ingenious mechanism is based on John Harrison’s grasshopper escapement, an invention that revolutionized timekeeping by reducing friction in mechanical clocks. A science student at Varsity, Cambridge University’s student newspaper, explains how this Cambridge Clock functions:
"Escapements form the central mechanism of all traditional clocks. After being wound, the escapement serves to push the pendulum slightly, with each swing moving the clock forward by a fixed amount. Since the pendulum's swings are necessarily of the same length, no matter how far out the pendulum swings, this period will stay the same, ensuring that the clock keeps good time. Before Harrison, most escapements were fairly crude. His invention, the grasshopper escapement, cut down massively on friction by using two pivoted arms, which give the impression of something creeping round the edge of the clock, hence the name."
The Chronophage at the top of the clock plays a crucial role in its function, controlling the movement of the LED-lit rings that indicate the time. Unlike traditional clocks, the Corpus Clock deliberately runs slightly fast and then slows down, symbolizing the irregularity of time as humans perceive it.
2008: The Unveiling of the Corpus Clock
On September 19, 2008, the Corpus Clock was officially unveiled by renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, author of A Brief History of Time.
Hawking, one of the most influential scientists of the 21st century, was chosen for the unveiling due to his groundbreaking work on time and space. His research on black holes and the nature of time made him the perfect figure to inaugurate a clock designed to symbolize time’s fleeting nature.
During the unveiling, Hawking praised the Corpus Clock for its unique artistic and scientific significance, noting that it serves as a constant reminder of the passage of time—a concept central to both physics and everyday life. The event drew international attention, reinforcing the Corpus Clock’s reputation as one of Cambridge’s most intriguing landmarks.
Conclusion: Experience Cambridge with Oxford Summer Courses
Studying in Cambridge is an unforgettable experience, and students at Oxford Summer Courses have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in this historic city.
Our Cambridge summer courses provide an authentic academic experience, allowing students to study in prestigious university colleges while exploring the city’s most famous landmarks—including the Corpus Clock, King’s College Chapel, and The Fitzwilliam Museum.
As part of our carefully planned excursions, students will have free time to explore Cambridge at their own pace, dependent on their age group. Whether it’s punting on the River Cam, walking through centuries-old colleges, or seeing the Corpus Clock in person, our students experience life in Cambridge beyond the classroom.
📍 Want to see the Corpus Clock in person while experiencing the best of Cambridge?
Join Oxford Summer Courses for an immersive academic adventure where you’ll study in historic university settings, take part in engaging excursions, and explore one of the world’s most iconic cities.
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About the author
Rhys Mackenzie is the Website Marketing Manager at Oxford Summer Courses. With extensive experience in SEO and digital content management, they are passionate about showcasing the best that Oxford has to offer. Their previous role at Experience Oxfordshire gave them a deep appreciation for the city's unique cultural and academic offerings. Learn more about Rhys here.
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Summary
Discover the Corpus Clock in Cambridge, a bold and unusual timepiece with a gold-plated face and a "time-eating" grasshopper. Learn about its construction, the grasshopper escapement, and its unique design. Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking unveiled the clock in 2008.