History of Doomsday Clock in Timeline

The Doomsday Clock, maintained since 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, is a symbolic representation of the probability of a human-caused global catastrophe. It uses the metaphor of time remaining until midnight (representing global catastrophe) to convey the Bulletin's assessment of global threats. Updated annually in January, the Clock's setting is influenced by factors like nuclear warfare, climate change, and artificial intelligence. The Bulletin's Science and Security Board monitors scientific and technological advancements that could pose significant threats to humanity, using this information to adjust the Clock's time.

June 1947: First Clock Representation

In June 1947, the Doomsday Clock was first represented on the cover of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, designed by Martyl Langsdorf.

1947: Cold War Clock Setting

In 1947, at the beginning of the Cold War, the Clock was started at seven minutes to midnight.

1947: Clock Inception

In 1947, the Doomsday clock's inception.

1947: Clock Maintained Since 1947

Since 1947, the Doomsday Clock is maintained as a metaphor for global catastrophe threats, assessing the world's proximity to midnight each January. It is not a prediction. In 1947, the Clock was created to represent the Bulletin's opinion on how close the world is to a human-made global catastrophe.

1950: Damage Control Exhibit

In 1950, the Hirshhorn Museum had an exhibit called "Damage Control: Art and Destruction Since 1950".

1953: Hydrogen Bomb Testing

In 1953, the Clock was set to two minutes until midnight after the U.S. and the Soviet Union began testing hydrogen bombs.

1962: Cuban Missile Crisis

In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred.

1991: Clock at 17 minutes to midnight

In 1991, the Clock's time was fluctuated to 17 minutes.

1991: Farthest Time from Midnight

In 1991, the Doomsday Clock was set to its farthest time from midnight, at 17 minutes.

January 2007: Doomsday Clock Redesign

In January 2007, Michael Bierut redesigned the Doomsday Clock to give it a more modern feel.

2007: Far Calmer 2007

In the calmer year of 2007.

2009: Bulletin Goes Digital

In 2009, the Bulletin ceased its print edition and became entirely digital, featuring the Clock as part of its website logo.

2010: Keith Payne's Criticism

In 2010, Keith Payne wrote in the National Review that the Clock overestimated the effects of developments in nuclear testing and arms control.

November 14, 2013: 5th Doomsday Clock Symposium

On November 14, 2013, the 5th Doomsday Clock Symposium was held in Washington, D.C., discussing issues related to "Communicating Catastrophe".

2016: Anders Sandberg on Threats

In 2016, Anders Sandberg stated that the "grab bag of threats" mixed together by the Clock can induce paralysis.

2017: Clock at 2 minutes 30 seconds to midnight

In 2017, the Clock's time was fluctuated to 2 minutes 30 seconds.

2017: Clock at 2 Minutes, 30 Seconds

In 2017, the Doomsday Clock was moved to 150 seconds (2 minutes, 30 seconds) to midnight.

January 24, 2018: Clock Moved to Two Minutes

On January 24, 2018, scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to two minutes to midnight, due to nuclear threats and tensions between North Korea and the U.S.

2018: Tristin Hopper on Climate Change

In 2018, Tristin Hopper stated that climate change is not in the same league as total nuclear destruction.

2018: Failure to Address Global Tensions

In 2018, the Clock was at the lowest point after the failure of world leaders to address tensions relating to nuclear weapons and climate change issues.

2018: Clock at 2 Minutes to Midnight

In 2018, the Doomsday Clock was moved forward to 2 minutes to midnight.

2019: Clock Unchanged in 2019

In 2019, the Doomsday Clock setting was left unchanged.

January 2020: Lowest Points for Doomsday Clock

Before January 2020, the two tied-for-lowest points for the Doomsday Clock were in 1953 and 2018.

January 23, 2020: Clock Moved to 100 Seconds

On January 23, 2020, the Doomsday Clock was moved to 100 seconds (1 minute, 40 seconds) before midnight due to dangerous rivalries, hostility among superpowers, and climate change.

2020: Clock at 1 Minute, 40 Seconds

In 2020, the Doomsday Clock was moved forward to 100 seconds (1 minute, 40 seconds) to midnight.

2021: Clock Remained Unchanged

In 2021, the "100 seconds to midnight" setting remained unchanged.

2022: Clock Remained Unchanged

In 2022, the "100 seconds to midnight" setting remained unchanged.

January 24, 2023: Clock Moved to 90 Seconds

On January 24, 2023, the Doomsday Clock was moved to 90 seconds (1 minute, 30 seconds) before midnight, largely attributed to the risk of nuclear escalation from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

2023: Clock at 1 Minute, 30 Seconds

In 2023, the Doomsday Clock was moved to 90 seconds (1 minute, 30 seconds) to midnight.

January 2025: Nearest Time to Midnight

In January 2025, the Doomsday Clock was set to its nearest time to midnight, at 89 seconds.

January 28, 2025: Clock Moved to 89 Seconds

On January 28, 2025, the Doomsday Clock was moved to 89 seconds (1 minute, 29 seconds) before midnight, the closest it has ever been since its inception in 1947.