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tfi pendulumFrom the time I was a young boy, each visit to the Franklin Institute has me peering over the hand rail of the marble stairwell to look at the Foucault pendulum. It is mesmerizing! Back and forth in such a steady pattern the pendulum swings . . . clicking off time. Who has not remained gaping at the silver bob until it knocks over the next pin?

And so it is for the thousands who visit the museum daily. The pendulum is the centerpiece of the original museum. It is located in the grand stairwell which leads to all floors of the museum.

video
Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Binder donated the Foucault pendulum at the Franklin Institute. It was installed on 15 February 1934. Eleven men held the 85-foot wire that holds the bob in order to prevent kinks from tangling it. They did so throughout a center city parade as they were guarded by mounted policemen.

Specifications
  • length of wire: 85 feet
  • weight of bob: 180 pounds
  • length of period: 10 seconds

foucault pendula reference
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TFI credit statement
http://www.fi.edu/time/Journey/Pendulum/tfi_pendulum.html
Last Modified: Wednesday, 01-Mar-2000 00:14:02 EST