NBC Chimes: Behind the Scenes with the First Trademarked Sound

The NBC chimes may be the most famous sound in broadcasting. Originating in the 1920s, the three key sequential notes are familiar to generations of radio listeners and television watchers. Many companies have tried to trademark sounds but only around 100 have ended up being accepted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office — and NBC’s iconic chimes were the first.

Historically, stations used chimes and gongs to create a signature sound. But the NBC chimes were not just a branding mechanism: their noise masked the sound of switching between stations live on the air. Pops and clicks were less audible with the chimes playing on top.

nbc-chimes-player
NBC chimes and microphone photograph by William of Radio Remembered

Originally, NBC came up with a seven-chime sequence that would be played life by radio announcers on air.  This longer sequence was later shortened to three notes so the announcers could generate the sounds more consistently. Eventually, a specialized device was developed to play the chimes — an automated system sitting in each station.

replace

Ultimately, NBC’s three little chimes didn’t just define a television network, they defined a generation. This episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz features the last person to play the NBC chimes on the NBC radio network, broadcaster Rick Greenhut, as well as radio historian John Schneider. Twenty Thousand Hertz is an audio program that tells “the stories behind the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds.” Subscribe and listen on iTunes or via RSS.

July 24, 2016 comic from Retail by Norm Feuti
Chip Readers: July 24, 2016 comic from Retail by Norm Feuti

Credits

Music
“Mumford Sound” by Michael Foreit
“Mysterious Rain” by Robert Anthony Guerrier
“Melodramatic Ambience” by Jonathan Hyde
  1. meow meow

    am I the only one who felt like crying after this? Beautifully sad bedding music and editing throughout this great piece!

  2. Delryn

    I don’t see any credits here. Can I get information on the music used in this episode?

    Thanks.

  3. Kristin

    I kind of can’t believe that they didn’t mention the three notes are G, E, and C – which stood for General Electric Company. One of the first things I learned as an NBC Page!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All Categories

Minimize Maximize

Playlist