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The Pips (Greenwich Time Signal)

The History of the Greenwich Time Signal

Since 1924, the BBC has broadcast the distinctive six-tone sequence known as the Greenwich Time Signal or "The Pips" to mark the precise start of each hour. This iconic audio time signal originates from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, representing one of the world's most recognizable timekeeping traditions.

The first five short pips (each 0.1 seconds at 1000Hz) count down the final five seconds before the hour, while the extended sixth pip (0.5 seconds) begins exactly as the new hour commences. This precise timing made the Pips invaluable for clock synchronization before digital technology.

Technical Specifications of The Pips

Each pip is a pure 1000Hz sine wave tone with these exact characteristics:

First five pips: 0.1 second duration
Final pip: 0.5 second duration
All tones: 1000Hz frequency (±0.5Hz)
Timing accuracy: ±0.01 seconds in original analog form

The distinctive pattern was carefully designed to be clearly audible yet unobtrusive during radio broadcasts.