An original prototype BBC-1 mirror globe model in action

This is a genuine ex-BBC prototype of the famous mirror globe symbol as used by BBC-1 from 1969 through to 1985. It demonstrates what the globes actually looked (and sounded) like "in the flesh"; the real symbols that were used on air were the same size and used the same principle of an internally-lit globe reflecting onto a curved mirror.
Many thanks to my friend Lucy for letting me borrow it for a while :)
Sorry that the quality isn't everything it could be, but it's sourced from a RealVideo encode I did about 6 years ago. I may still have the original DV footage somewhere; if I find it I'll upload it in place of this.

[@mrblakeproduction]

That is the rarest thing I ever seen in my life.

[@antoniomontanez2186]

When watching Monty Python as a kid, I remember seeing this and just thought it was the coolest thing ever. Always wondered how they achieved the effect.........simply awesome.

[@mxbx307]

I'm surprised this thing lasted in various guises as late as 1985. It was looking pretty tired by then and I never thought the stretching effect on the mirror ever looked that good.

[@dontalkt2meboutheros]

As a child, all I saw were the oceans and wondered why the abstract repetition. It was years before I realised it was a globe.

[@SMGJohn]

Damn, you were born american, my condolences.

[@theebloxinator]

@@SMGJohn 😐

[@miniroll32]

How did I get here from a review of a Spanish hotel?

[@myristicina.]

Lmao

[@solojinglesradio1]

BBC Bodas Bautizos & Comuniones

[@dunebasher1971]

I borrowed it from a friend who used to work at the BBC and who knows the guy who originally designed it.

[@robalexander8065]

Murray Andrew?

[@julianpotentate5942]

@@robalexander8065selling it

[@paulstheman77]

I am currently making one of these, its going well so far, wont be the real thing like this but should look the same. Must be a thrill to own an actual original one.

[@lancechinnian4043]

Think I just WET myself! This is definitely one of the coolest things I've seen. I'm very jealous ...

[@Satters]

that is so cool, what an amazing and historical iconic item to have, thankyou for sharing

[@robmortimer4150]

Amazing. The two holy grails would be the diamond schools device, and the itv schools mechanical clock...

[@fraserkatie]

Rob Mortimer That the was the NODDY room , tbe camera being the NODDY that could point to a certain ident at different times and was controlled by the BBC announcer

[@privateeyeful]

The apparatus is surprisingly small. The Compacts Disc cases provide a good reference.

[@MePeterNicholls]

There were many devices in a rack that the camera could pan or tilt too

[@dunebasher1971]

@spig021 I think it's a normal white bulb, but the resin-like material that the globe is made out of has a yellowy tinge to it. As mentioned in the text overlays, I used Adobe Premiere to colourise it. I can't remember exactly which filters I used though, possibly Colour Replace. I did this about 7-8 years ago, so I'm afraid I don't remember too many details.

[@ZilinaSK]

Ooooh... listen to those crunchy gears 😁 Thanks for uploading 🙂

[@marizuokereke7347]

I remember that. That's amazing!

[@rareblues78daddy]

My God, that was beautiful.

[@indiana1977]

This is wonderful, thanks for sharing. I wonder if this prototype didn't make it because it was so noisy!

[@Hb1290Logos]

This video in itself could be an ident for the BBC’s anniversary or something. Just need to incorporate the current logo somehow I guess

[@kristonren]

very clever effect

[@ultraswank]

This is the coolest thing ever! :)

[@foxmulder6303]

I wish they would bring back the globe, hate the live action stuff, and xmas was a surprise

[@Alexdude99887]

how does stuff like THAT survive all these years

[@dunebasher1971]

@indiana1977 The on-air models made pretty much the same noise. It didn't matter how noisy they were because they were all housed in a stack in a separate room.

[@Joyousmicor]

dunebasher1971 At Presentation Area at Television Centre

[@giammyzanna]

OMG Can you record it again in 1080p? It would be awesome to have that in HD.

[@WindowsGG]

where did you find this incredible plece of bbc history?

[@fraserkatie]

Loving the model! Is this the real thing from the "Noddy" cabinet? What does your friend Lucy do?

[@jacksugden8190]

As I remember it, better then than now in 2020.

[@mraustyseventeen17]

Fun fact: The machine is called "NODD" camera Review: I like the transformation of the NODD camera to a monochrome version of the ident to an actual ident

[@dunebasher1971]

No, it was never called "NODD"/Nexus Orthicon Display Device. That was invented by someone on an internet forum about 20 years ago and has no factual basis. Numerous members of BBC Pres staff who actually worked with the system have confirmed it was simply called "Noddy" because the camera "nodded" from one position to another.

[@anthonyperkins7556]

This is BBC1. It's time for another another adventure with Dr.Who

[@duncanpriestley964]

I'd always assumed the globe was about the size of a football. It's more the size of a small circular lightbulb. Wow. It's cute.

[@MiniYouki]

My dreams are destroyed.

[@spig021]

Can you tell me, is the light in the globe, a yellow colour or white, also what software & method did you use to colourise this?

[@DerickAlexsander.Official]

Nice!

[@patches7466]

i didn't know it was that loud

[@josephphillips3403]

So this was how BBC made there early globe logos? Cool.

[@MePeterNicholls]

At the time people thought it was more complex than it is

[@dongnam1971]

Mechanical or Electronic 2D?

[@TomChabassiere]

Would it be possible to buy one ? If so, which store ?

[@kevinjoyce285]

Very rare

[@cazharris5581]

Someone should make a smaller version, it would make a great retro lamp…

[@RobRobintv]

I WANT ONE!!!!!

[@JamesTaylorMain]

Cool.

[@Tirana44]

Fascinating! I wish the Beeb would bring back the globe. The present idents on both 1 and 2 are just ‘visual dross’ so sad.

[@dunebasher1971]

You'd just have to hope that one came up for sale or auction at some time. There were only ever a handful made and not all of them still exist, though, so if they ever did come up for sale, they will probably command a very high price - thousands of pounds, most likely.

[@dongnam1971]

3D version of BBC1 ident

[@sansyy727]

have you ever found the original DV file?

[@SantiagoRevecoLepeReborn]

*This is BBC1.*

[@solojinglesradio1]

nope

[@timecapsule.]

How did you get one? Can you buy them?

[@BugsBunnyandArchieMcIvor2024]

Where did you get that?

[@findertv1193]

I Wish I Had One,

[@jeffmissinne3866]

Low tech maybe, but it works!

[@claudiaguerrero8632]

Cool

[@tanyamccann9478]

❤

[@darryllharden9141]

(ANNOUNCER) 'Now back to this afternoon on BBC1...And Vision On'.

[@julianhanc8272]

(Announcer)

[@robalexander8065]

Sounds like Mike Gamble.

[@allantimmins3550]

does anyone have any ex bbc boxes for sale

[@natedash11]

Is there any way someone without any connections to the BBC could get one of those?

[@PurpleMetaKnight2000]

ME TOO

[@handsoffmycactus2958]

It would’ve looked so much better in black and gold

[@jimmcd9988]

Taken from the Ident

[@Jonathansyoutube]

I got here from looking at classic cars in auction

[@IcySlavKat]

Good grief that prop is loud

[@foxteachtutorials8636]

I wish I had one... But I Don't Live In The UK!

[@anthonyperkins7556]

The blue colour was added by chromakey

[@sambda]

Luminence key actually. The raw picture didn't have any colour to speak of in the first place.

[@findertv1193]

Is It Homemade?

[@dunebasher1971]

If you read the video title and description you'll find out.

[@MikhailEbora]

Real BBC ONE Ident Thing Object

[@user-te5hf5eq1q]

1980s

[@Clavinovaman]

Crude or what... :)

[@maidstone1982]

flat earthers always get triggered with this XDD

[@robblacklockjr.4569]

Lol it's so loud

[@hdprogamer7197]

Wow very nice Please make a bbc cymru wales mirror globe model in action video please

[@pobprod2984]

Hi Dunebasher1971! My Dad also owns one of these (The BBC South one) could you drop me a message (maybe on on twitter, @ PeteBrook) I'd love to ask you a question about your friends one!

[@dongnam1971]

Mechanical or Electronic 2D?

[@nxx99]

Mechanical, thus the noise of the gears.