The Steam Clock in Historic Vancouver, BC may not be their oldest landmark, but it is definitely their most famous. This clock was the first steam clock to be made in the world. It is also the one landmark of the city that is photographed more than anything else is. Located on the street corner Water and Cambie, a warehouse district that appears to be part of the Victorian age, this clock seems to fit in very good.
The Steam Clock was built in 1977 by Ray Saunders as an attempt to use the steam coming from the underground line that was heating the local buildings. Ray Saunders, famous inventor that he was, knew what he wanted and how to get it done. The Steam Clock whistles every fifteen along with a puff of steam and chimes every hour.
The clock was powered by electricity for many years until the steam mechanism was rebuilt thanks to the financial help given by the local businesses. The steam that is used to operate the clock is the same low pressure steam used in the heating district. This steam powers a small steam engine in the base, at the same time, driving a chain lift. The lift moves the steel balls up towards the top where they get unloaded and roll to a downward chain. The weight of these balls on the downward chain creates a pendulum clock escapement, which is geared to the hands on the four different faces. It is also the steam that produces the whistles made by the clock instead of the typical bells.
Although this clock may not be tourist's favorite stop, it is a stop that interests them when they hear or see it.
