Prolific inventor and Santon resident John C Taylor celebrated his 85th birthday last week, with a giant cake modelled after one of his iconic chronophage clocks.

The 2.8 metre tall and 1.5 metre wide ’Chronocake’ is based on the Dragon Chronophage in his home. Another one of the four chronophages to ever be made was installed outside the 1886 nightclub in Regent Street, Douglas in January.

One is at the Taylor Library at Cambridge University (Dr Taylor’s alma mater), and the fourth was a private commission.

Though otherwise fully edible, the Chronocake has working electronic parts which power a working pendulum, and it accurately displays time.

It took 8 kilograms of fondant to make.

The name of the chronophage clocks is derived from ancient Greek words ’chronos’ and ’phage’ meaning ’time-eater’ - with the beads of time in the cake’s case depicted being eaten by the dragon mounted on top of the clock.

Dr Taylor’s team, led by Eve Wilson, had wanted to give their boss a surprise gift that was like no other.

Sara Hay, owner of Antionette Cakes, who produces extreme cake sculptures, was approached with the plan over the summer.

Buxton-born Dr Taylor has over 400 patents to his name and is best known for his 360°cordless kettle invention.

The cake was unveiled at a small ceremony involving the cake creator Sara Hay and the Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer, the 31st Governor of the Isle of Man.

However, Dr Taylor is allergic to egg and so a smaller cake was made for him, which adorned the design at the base of the main cake’s clock.

Dr Taylor said: ’Isn’t it wonderful?

’I’m almost speechless.

’This is the fifth Chronophage, and it’s a cake.

’It’s been made by my team in secret for my birthday.

’I’m absolutely blown away because it’s not only a cake, it tells the time!

’The dragon on top is all in icing sugar and I’m allergic to eggs, so I can’t eat royal icing because it’s got egg in it.

’In the middle here is the main cake and down there is my cake because it’s got no eggs in it.

’What a present!’

The fruit cake, which was brought to his uniquely oval-shaped house, Arragon Mooar, was shared between his team and the 75 guests who attended his birthday party.

Dr Taylor designed the thermostat systems which are used throughout the world in around a billion kettles and small household appliances every day.

Later in his career he built up his own company, Strix, which holds four Queen’s Awards for their cordless kettle connector.

He also established the first Professorship of Innovation at Cambridge’s Institute of Manufacturing.

In the 2011 new year’s honours list, Dr Taylor was awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to business and horology.

More information about him is at his website, www.johnctaylor.com/