HISTORY OF THE LIBERTY BELL

Author David Kimball noted, "The Liberty Bell is not only our nation's most famous and venerated object, it has become a world-wide symbol of freedom."¹ The Bell heralded freedom from tyranny, oppression, and slavery. Its inscription, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof" prescribed in 1751, was considered a prediction of America's Declaration of Independence.

"Perhaps the secret behind this famous Bell lies in the nature of the 'liberties' for which it stands, and which its motto "Proclaim Liberty throughout the Land," has represented. For throughout the history of the Bell there have been three basic liberties embraced: the religious liberty of William Penn's colony; the political liberty of young America; and the liberty of Blacks from slavery. In total, these liberties include men and women of all creeds, all parties and all races. Their dreams and aspirations may differ, but the underlying freedom which makes them possible is forged into this one Bell, a symbol not only for Americans but for all the peoples of the world."²

"It is the most famous bell in the world …the most widely traveled bell in the world …the most duplicated and scale reproduced bell on the planet." ²

1. The Story of Liberty, David Kimball - Eastern National, 1989
2. Ring in Jubilee, Charles Michael Boland - Chatham Press, 1973

3. Ring in Jubilee, Charles Michael Boland - Chatham Press, 1973
4. "My country 'tis of Thee" Readings in Americana Shaw-Barton Publishers, Coshocton, Ohio - 1975
5. America, Samuel Francis Smith, 1831. Martin Luther King, Jr., "I Have a Dream" - 1963

LIBERTY BELL SPECIFICATIONS

Circumference at Lip Approx. 12 feet Diameter at Lip 3 feet, 10 inches Thickness at Lip 3 inches Thickness at Crown 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches Height at Crown 3 feet Height with Yoke Approx. 4.5 feet Weight 2080 lbs. Estimate Weight of Clapper 44 lbs. Weight of Yoke 200 lbs. Metal Bronze (Copper 80% and Tin 20%) Tuning E Old Concert Pitch Lettering From Thomas Lester's Letter Stamps, (Original Bell and Our Replica) Engraving A crack is engraved on replica bells for authentic appearance

HOW WAS THE LIBERTY BELL MADE?

1. Small bricks are made of clay and two secret ingredients. The bricks are stacked in the shape of a bell. This is used as the base or inside form for the bell shape, referred to as a false bell.

2. The brick form is coated with the same clay material until a smooth bell shape is formed. This is allowed to dry and is touched up as needed.

3. The outer form for the bell consists of a large metal shell, which must be coated on the inside with the same clay material. While the clay in this outer form is still pliable, letter stamps are used to stamp in the words and numbers that will appear on the outside of the actual bell.

4. When both of the forms are ready, the outer form is placed over the inner form, and the two are clamped together.

5. The foundry melts copper and tin to create the liquid bronze that will be poured into the top of the bell forms. After the pouring is complete, the forms are allowed to cool over several days.

6. The outside and the inner forms are separated, and the blackened clay material that adheres to the bell is cleaned off.

7. When the bell has passed inspection, the yoke and clapper are added to complete the bell.

The secret ingredients in the clay are horse manure and goat hair; this helps to reduce shrinkage and cracking in the clay. As a result, the forms are less fragile and surface of the bell is improved.