Doomsday Clock
... An invention called the Doomsday Clock created in 1945 attempts to “countdown” our minutes to destruction by nuclear arms. But how does this clock work and what do these minutes mean in relation to our lives? ... From its origins at seven minutes to midnight to its groundbreaking seventeen minutes, every step the world has taken has been followed closely by those who produce the clock. First created as a marketing scheme by the Editors of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the clock’s fame quickly grew. Originally printed on a fluorescent orange background the clock was meant “to symbolize urgency” (The Bulletin online). ... Set at seven minutes to midnight the original 1947 “doomsday clock” first rang its chime of impending danger. This original setting of the clock at this time was as Martyl Langsdorf, the creator of the clock, said that it was “just a matter of good design” (Moore “Midnight” 2). This original setting of seven minutes to midnight remained on the face of the clock until the beginning of the Cold War. These changing faces of the clock have been decided upon by a committee. The editor and board of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists take into consideration many factors before changing the time on the Armageddon clock. ... Despite these broadening ideals to which they apply to the clock it has only been moved seventeen times since its inaugural time set. These landmark times have caused quite a stir in the world as journalists and the public alike paid close attention to every move the clock made.