What are interesting facts on big ben?

Answer:

Big Ben is actually the nickname of the 14 ton Great Bell of the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster and not the clock itself, although most people now use the name 'Big Ben' for the clock. Big Ben was installed in 1859 and is the largest chiming four-sided clock in the world.

It is not without irony that a flawed and off key bell has sounded over a parliament building for over 150 years.

The first bell cast was a 16 tonner by John Warner ans Sons at the Crescent Foundry, Stockton-on-Tees on 6th August 1856, but it cracked irreparably under test in the palace yard, Westminster. The current bell was cast from the original bell at Whitechapel Foundry on 10th April 1858 and first rang over London on 31st May 1859. It cracked 2 months later because of the overweight hammer fitted. The crack was 'stopped' and the bell turned to present a solid face to the hammer. The fitting of a lighter hammer completed the repair. This is the bell in use today and it remains the biggest bell ever cast by the Whitechapel foundry. The name 'Big Ben' was the nickname of the most famous heavyweight boxer of the day, Benjamin Caunt. It is entirely plausible that the biggest and most famous bell was imbued with the name of the most popular public hero of the time.