The familiar tick-tock of wall clocks originates from the escapement mechanism, which controls gear movement in precise steps. While our brains perceive two distinct sounds, clocks actually produce ...

The tick-tick sound comes from the movement of gears and parts inside the clock. In mechanical clocks, a part called the escapement mechanism controls this sound.

Back in 1859, the clock tower in Westminster Palace in London was the largest clock in the world. JOHNNY GREIG / Getty Images The clock tower that sits at the north end of Westminster Palace in London ...