NBC Chimes

The NBC chimes represent a landmark in audio branding, serving as the first sound ever awarded an audio trademark. Originally developed in the 1920s to establish a sonic identity on the radio, these three notes—G-E-C—functioned as both a marketing tool and a technical solution for masking the mechanical clicks of manual studio switching. Radio historian John Schneider and former NBC employee Rick Greenhut highlight how the sequence evolved from a seven-note hand-played melody to an automated electronic signal. Beyond branding, the chimes played a pivotal role in history; the addition of a covert fourth chime alerted staff to momentous breaking news during World War II, including the D-Day invasion. Despite the eventual decline of the NBC radio network, these chimes remain a deeply embedded cultural artifact, symbolizing a transformative era in mass communication.