NODD (Nexus Orthicon Display Device)
Encyclopedia
NODD which stands for Nexus Orthicon Display Device , was the method used for generating identifications for the BBC1
and BBC2
television networks from 1963 to February 1985.
The BBC
first employed the system in 1969 when the introduced the new mirror globe ident for BBC1
, and the introduction of colour to this service. The system was easy to use, as the remote operating allowed the announcer to control it him/herself with ease, and allowed the idents to be of no fixed length so the globe or clock symbols could continue for many minutes at a time. It was also easy to change the colours used to make something such as a rebrand easy to perform.
programmes, which were filmed in black and white until 1972.
In 1974, the globe was altered again: the colours were changed to yellow continents with a dark blue background. The legend was changed to simply BBC1, this time in Futura typeface
, and the 'Colour' identification was removed. This version lasted until 1981, when it was again changed, the colours changed to a green globe with dark blue background, with a double striped BBC1 legend. Throughout all these years, the globe model itself was altered as it had to be frequently re-painted and modified. This led to a number of odd variations: the tip of South Africa
was pointed in some 1981 variations, and the pacific islands more pronounced in other models.
Alongside the mirrored globe, a number of other presentational devices were used. The main one of these being the clock. The clock also used the NODD system, allowing the colours to be the same as the present ident. To allow enough light onto the model, a light was fixed onto the camera to shine onto the clock and other idents; this light was not used on the main ident however. The clock was mechanical and featured numerals of double lines that increased in thickness the further round the clockface. The clock also featured a 'polo' mint centre. This clock is quite distinguishable and is most recognizable with the BBC. The clocks colour and legend never differed from that of the main ident.
The clock was changed in December 1981, with the introduction of a computerized clock. Following BBC2
's rebrand to the electronic striped 2 ident
, technicians started working on an electronic clock to accompany the new look, and following its completion it was this that replaced mechanical version. The new clock featured a single uniform line thickness all the way round, except at 12, 3, 6 and 9 where the lines were doubled. The polo mint centre was also removed in favour of a central dot.
The looks were also accompanied by static programme captions. The captions for the 1969 to 1974 look used the legend of the ident in their captions located at the bottom of the screen. However, the style was changed in c.1974 to feature a banner at the top of the image featuring double striped lines and the double striped BBC1 logo. This design was used from c.1974 until 1985.
or COW for short. The globe was retired because of the fact it was the only live mechanical model used on television and the maintenance required was making it difficult to use; even the 1981 rebrand caused a number of difficulties such as bad positioning, odd colours and other errors. The globe was also becoming old fashioned, due to it's service since the invention of colour.
The NODD system went with the globe, as all idents and clocks were now electronically generated, and as a result the equipment wasn't needed. Cameras were still for programme slides until the late 1980s, when the programme slides became electronically generated also.
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
and BBC2
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
television networks from 1963 to February 1985.
About NODD
The term NODD can be used to mean a variety of different things. The actual definition of the NODD system is the process of filming an image in black and white and electronically adding colour before the image itself is aired. The term NODD, or NODD (Noddy) Room can also be used to describe the location where the idents, clocks and other presentation devices are arranged atop and beside each other in front of a black and white camera that can be remotely operated to be pointing at a number of idents. The system was designed by BBC designer Murray Andrew.The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
first employed the system in 1969 when the introduced the new mirror globe ident for BBC1
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, and the introduction of colour to this service. The system was easy to use, as the remote operating allowed the announcer to control it him/herself with ease, and allowed the idents to be of no fixed length so the globe or clock symbols could continue for many minutes at a time. It was also easy to change the colours used to make something such as a rebrand easy to perform.
The BBC1 Mirrored Globe
The most famous use of the NODD system was the BBC1 mirrored globes used between 1969 and 1985, albeit with minor colour changes. The globe model featured an internally lit globe, with the sea being painted on in metallic black paint, and the land masses being clear, in front of a concave mirror. The original mirror globe ident was introduced on 15 November 1969 and featured blue continents and legend against a black background. The legend included the word 'Colour' after the BBC1 corporate logo, both to indicate the new format the programme were being broadcast in, but also to act as a subtle reminder to the vast majority of viewers, still watching in black and white, to buy a colour TV set and the much more expensive colour television licence which financed the BBC. The colours of blue and black were chosen because they are still easily distinguishable to those with a black and white set, as the vast majority of the population still did not own a colour set. The ident was modified in 1972 to include the new, rounder BBC logo, which also resulted in the 'Colour' legend appearing in an italic serif font. There was also another version of the globe that didn't contain a 'Colour' legend which was used before schoolsBBC Schools
BBC Schools, also known as BBC for Schools and Colleges, is the educational programming strand set up by the BBC in 1957, broadcasting a range of educational programmes for children aged 5–16. From launch until June 1983, programming was based on BBC One during the daytime, before programming was...
programmes, which were filmed in black and white until 1972.
In 1974, the globe was altered again: the colours were changed to yellow continents with a dark blue background. The legend was changed to simply BBC1, this time in Futura typeface
Futura (typeface)
In typography, Futura is a geometric sans-serif typeface designed in 1927 by Paul Renner. It is based on geometric shapes that became representative visual elements of the Bauhaus design style of 1919–1933...
, and the 'Colour' identification was removed. This version lasted until 1981, when it was again changed, the colours changed to a green globe with dark blue background, with a double striped BBC1 legend. Throughout all these years, the globe model itself was altered as it had to be frequently re-painted and modified. This led to a number of odd variations: the tip of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
was pointed in some 1981 variations, and the pacific islands more pronounced in other models.
Alongside the mirrored globe, a number of other presentational devices were used. The main one of these being the clock. The clock also used the NODD system, allowing the colours to be the same as the present ident. To allow enough light onto the model, a light was fixed onto the camera to shine onto the clock and other idents; this light was not used on the main ident however. The clock was mechanical and featured numerals of double lines that increased in thickness the further round the clockface. The clock also featured a 'polo' mint centre. This clock is quite distinguishable and is most recognizable with the BBC. The clocks colour and legend never differed from that of the main ident.
The clock was changed in December 1981, with the introduction of a computerized clock. Following BBC2
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
's rebrand to the electronic striped 2 ident
BBC Two 'Computer Generated 2' ident
The Computer Generated 2 was an ident used by BBC Two between c.March 1979 and 31 March 1986. It was the first computer generated ident in the world and was a revolutionary new step for television presentation.-Launch:...
, technicians started working on an electronic clock to accompany the new look, and following its completion it was this that replaced mechanical version. The new clock featured a single uniform line thickness all the way round, except at 12, 3, 6 and 9 where the lines were doubled. The polo mint centre was also removed in favour of a central dot.
The looks were also accompanied by static programme captions. The captions for the 1969 to 1974 look used the legend of the ident in their captions located at the bottom of the screen. However, the style was changed in c.1974 to feature a banner at the top of the image featuring double striped lines and the double striped BBC1 logo. This design was used from c.1974 until 1985.
Replacement
The mirrored globe was retired at 7pm on 18 February 1985, with the first showing of the globe's replacement: the Computer Originated WorldComputer Originated World
The Computer Originated World was the method of creating the BBC1 symbol that was used between February 1985 and February 1991. It was later used by the international, commercial television service BBC World Service Television from it's launch until c.1994.-Launch:The Computer Originated World...
or COW for short. The globe was retired because of the fact it was the only live mechanical model used on television and the maintenance required was making it difficult to use; even the 1981 rebrand caused a number of difficulties such as bad positioning, odd colours and other errors. The globe was also becoming old fashioned, due to it's service since the invention of colour.
The NODD system went with the globe, as all idents and clocks were now electronically generated, and as a result the equipment wasn't needed. Cameras were still for programme slides until the late 1980s, when the programme slides became electronically generated also.
Trivia
- Contrary to the belief of many, NODD was not called so because the camera could nod in any direction at the push of a button.
- The mechanical clock that accompanied the look gained so much status that the design was included on the BBC website when it was redesigned in 2007, and features on the homepage to this day.
- The 1972 Mechanical Globe ident was recreated to introduce the second series of Life on MarsLife on Mars (TV series)Life on Mars is a British television series broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007. The series combines elements of science fiction and police procedural....
.