The Harris Museum, which is set to open to the public on 28 September, has restored the 35-metre pendulum as part of the four-year revamp.
The museum, located in the centre of the city, will feature the UK’s longest pendulum upon its upcoming re-opening.
Behind the work is a university lecturer in physics and also the director of the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute.
Read more: Harris re-opening day fully booked as first full October weekend spaces available
Dr Brett Patterson, who created a prototype of the pendulum, was a key part of the project and is also a senior physics lecturer from the University of Lancashire.
Explaining the physics behind the proclaimed firm fan favourite museum feature, Brett said: “This pendulum swings backwards and forwards every twelve seconds with a full 360-degree rotation every 30 hours.
“The pendulum reveals a fundamental aspect of our world which we don’t normally feel when we are walking around.
“The pendulum clearly shows the sensitivity of the earth’s movement.”
Watch the pendulum in action below or on our YouTube channel
He added: “It is very satisfying to have all the parts coming together and reveal an aspect of physics which people are oblivious to in their daily life.”
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The pivot point, which is made to not have a preferred directional swing, encourages the pendulum to swing, alongside the Earth’s movement.
The whole process of the pendulum was said to have taken two years and was inspired by the previous Foucault Pendulum, installed in 1909 at the Harris.
Darren, working for the construction company who aided physical putting together of the pendulum, said this final look of the work looked “very different” to the initial meeting.
Despite it making it a lengthy process, he added that the use of focus groups improved the product development with their addition of the outer ring and inner ring, including hidden batteries and a magnet.
Despite his background in construction, Darren said: “The project has been interesting and a labour of love.
“It is nice to see it working well and swinging away.”
Councillor Anna Hindle, cabinet member for culture and arts at Preston City Council, said “The Harris has always been at the heart of Preston’s cultural life. The pendulum perfectly encapsulates our vision – respecting our scientific and cultural heritage while embracing innovative approaches to public engagement with science and the arts.”
Helen Featherstone, director, England North, at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said “The restoration of The Harris’ historic Foucault pendulum is a wonderful focal point that also highlights what we aim to achieve through our funding – preserving our remarkable heritage while making it accessible and inspiring for new generations.
“It is fantastic to see University of Lancashire’s cutting-edge Physics expertise breathe new life into this 35-metre Victorian scientific wonder thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. We’re proud that our funding is helping to ensure this exceptional piece of scientific history continues to educate and inspire visitors for years to come, and that it will play a key attraction in the wider transformation of The Harris.”
The Harris will re-open to the public on Sunday 28 September after £19million has been spent on a huge restoration project running across the exhibition spaces, café and library as well as ensuring the grade-I building is ready to last another 130 years – but the Harris project has been beset by spiralling costs and delayed re-opening dates.
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