The speaking Clock pt1, Talking Clock

Hi Res version of this film here
• Talking Clock Film in ...
Post Office film about the installation of the talking clock in Melbourne in 1954.

[@duprie37]

This is great! Just reading how the talking clock is to be switched off on October 1 2019 and wondered if there is a clip on KZbin about it. Of course there is.

[@TelevisionAU]

Rest in Peace, 1194!

[@1994ToyotaCamryEnjoyer]

At 11:56 last night the 1196 weather service stopped working, and the 1194 speaking clock told the time, for the last time. Vale 1194.

[@sonofmumfy]

I just finished reworking the MKII for active display at the Science Museum London. It is now in the newly refurbished Measuring Time gallery.

[@stevedoubleu99B]

Of course modern electronics is superior but lacks the sheer beauty of these prescision moving parts going dutifully about their business. Truly, to me anyway, a work of art. Mechanical, electronic, optical and probably a couple more skills I haven't thought of, all involved here. Thanks for posting this video.

[@internezzo]

The girls at the beginning had an Australian accent. It has virtually disappeared.

[@beachsandinspector]

Love this clip, I was not even a glint in my father's eye when this was installed, and I do remember the voice of that talking clock. Thanks for posting this clip. I am an ex Big T employee having been made redundant in 1992.

[@johnd8892]

As a kid without a home phone was attracted to ringing 1194 and 1196 at phone boxes as were friends. Something for free instead of multiple pennies.

[@brisgeek]

Excellent video, thanks for uploading. I remember seeing the old mechanical talking clock up close when I was at the Telstra Tower.

[@jsl151850b]

Thanks!

[@ClipontheEar]

I recall the number as 'BO74', in Sydney at any rate, on our black dial-phone. But I could be wrong...

[@jsl151850b]

As it's only a sound effect, the beeps are not on a disk but are generated electronically.

[@vk3ase]

You should go to the hi res version of this film not this one that was put up when KZbin was only 240p. The pips are recorded on the disc as you can see at 4.06. At 4.16 the teck is checking on a scope that the machine is synchronized to the time standard. Also the background optical noise on the pips indicate it comes of disc. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooa9p6OVoKiXfpY

[@jsl151850b]

@@vk3ase I'll take your word for it but I had heard it was an oscillator to produce the beeps. Live rather than prerecorded.

[@Zoink888]

In Sydney in the 60's everyone used to call it. GEORGE the talking clock. You could match it up with a shortwave radio. Mmm I better go check out if the old shortwave time beeps are still working? Whenever I listen to HF bands these days there is nearly nothing on it. Not even Amateurs.

[@the_real_hislordship]

Ironically my phone chimed the hour as he finished his last announcement. Pity it was for 21:00.

[@NetTubeUser]

Oh my... can you imagine saying every day, _"The time is 10h32... the time is 10h33..."_ ? At the end of the week, you have completely lost your mind for good, you are definitely crazy! _"The time is 10h34... the time is 10h35... the time is 10h36..."_

[@orgami100]

Poor ladies locked into a booth saved by a machine..

[@duprie37]

I could do it. You'd just go into a zenlike zone. Very contemplative. Like chanting a mantra. I'm not neurotypical though.

[@jsl151850b]

There's a comedy skit about that. The conversation becomes personal.

[@jaumetdepalma5347]

amazing old machines

[@CandiiBanks]

I'm so sad they're turning him off :'(

[@internezzo]

@Sandy2273 LOL background info like this is priceless! thank you Sandy

[@Circlotron]

@vk3ase It changed to 1194 in 1976.Before that it was 6074.

[@wenlockburton1]

B074 would be 2074 which I recall seeing in a Sydney phone book in a Melbourne post office. So that would be the Sydney number. Seems each state may have had its own number, then it was all brought together under 1194. 1196 was weather, 1100 was operator

[@vk3ase]

You just dialed 1194 and you got the talking clock

[@sbalogh53]

1194 still works. I just tried it and got the time, but the announcement is obviously more robotic and give you the time once and then say goodbye.

[@vk3ye]

@@sbalogh53 Just tried it today. It now says the time more than once. Didn't see how long it would go for but I got at least 4 or 5 announcements.

[@vk3ase]

Thats amazing after these years, did you know a film was made?. Are you the guy plugging in the 6V6 or one of the others mounting the disc section on the main unit. Any way great to hear from you. Did see the working unit at Black Mountain and know of the others. No reason they can not keep going forever and should be put back in service as the main speaking clock or at least put Gordon Gow on a chip and use that as he is the oficial voice of time.

[@am74343]

Amazing! And nowadays this is accomplished with just a few computer chips!

[@TelevisionAU]

@vk3ase and you can still dial 1194 now :-)

[@batterysurf]

11:30 pm sep 30

[@mitch_collo2868]

Epic 😎

[@penfloyd]

Rare footage indeed.........

[@inventress]

rare comment indeed

[@rockettaco]

Heh. Is it just me or do the Australian accents of the ‘50s sound different than the current ones?

[@Wolf_K]

Indeed, a bit more british than these days.

[@johnd8892]

Easier to get a job as an announcer if you had a British style accent then. Especially in government style jobs. General public rarely recorded. So these are not representative.

[@rockettaco]

@@johnd8892 Even at the time it wasn’t representative of the general population?

[@brycelandon6387]

Didn't Germany have a talking clock with a record player with three tone arms?

[@Tomsonic41]

This one obviously works on the same principle as the British speaking clock of the time. How come the British one had 4 glass discs, while the Australian one only needed 3?

[@orgami100]

The British 4th one told Tea time

[@am74343]

It told the time when the Queen was getting her knickers washed LOL!

[@munnsie100]

What was the Hz or Khz of that Pip?

[@mitch19636]

1 Khz

[@sbalogh53]

1:35 and today all of that fits on a chip the size of your fingernail.

[@sbalogh53]

Alongside a year's supply of HD movies and a few dozen seasons of my favourite TV shows. Hmmmm, thinking about it, I am not sure my porn collection would fit on a single chip. Do they have terabyte chips yet? :)

[@inventress]

@@sbalogh53 yes 1024 gb sandisk sd card

[@Usagi1992]

:09 - efuma, seriously Don't worry about it, just random voodoo mojo bullshit :P

[@AccordionManiac]

This is very interesting. So how did one hear this? By telephone or radio? Forgive me - I'm young!

[@inventress]

you must be amazinv

[@inventress]

i am young today but here you were young 🥺

[@davidpar2]

You would dial a four digit number on the phone and get the time message