The World Peace Bell, 33 tonnes

Genesis of the project

The approach of the third millenium, a symbolic date for all, gived birth to numerous imaginary projects accross the World. Thus, the Paccard Bell Foundry was chosen to create the biggest swinging bell in the World, weighing more than 33 tons, reserved for the Millenium Monument Company in Newport, Kentuky, USA.

in March 1997, Pierre Paccard and his son Philippe went to Newport, Kentucky, to meet their potential client. On Easter monday, 16th April 1998, the PACCARD Foundry received the written confirmation of the order of the big bell. Of course, all the preliminary studies were well advanced. The count down had begun...

In France, the PACCARD Bell Foundry must find an oven big enough to melt 40 tons of metal. The Fonderie de l'Atlantique, in Nantes, which produces huge bronze propellers is choosen. At the Atlantic Foundry, Mr Joël Archer gives a very warm welcome : this new project diversifies a mono-product industry in a difficult situatuion.

However a propeller and a bell aren't exactly the same thing. The workers in the Nantes Foundry must be taught the techniques of bell making. All the tricky operations are carried by PACCARD;

Making of the kernel (inside mold)

A trial bell weighing 4 tons is made and cast on July 1998 in Nantes in order to test and adapt the techniques which will be undertaken for the big bell, but most of all to insur ethe cooperation between the workers from the Atlantic foundry and those from the PACCARD Foundry.

Making of the false bell

Main stages of the making process

July 1998 : making of the trial bell.
16th September 1998 : start of the fabrication.
11th December 1998 : casting of the bell.
15th January 1999 : Turning out of the bell.
20th March 1999 : Unveiling of the bell, in présence of Wayne Carlisle, patron of the project and President of the Millenium Monument Company.
16th April 1999 : Departure of the bell.
4th July1999 : Official Presentation in New Orleans (Louisiane) and boat trip on the Mississipi and the Ohio rivers.
August and September 1999 : Instatllation in a special tower in  Newport (Kentucky), near Cincinnati.
31st December 1999 at midnight (1rst January 2000 at 0.00...) : FIRST SOLEMN RINGING.