The Speaking Clock, which tells the time to thousands of callers each day, is celebrating its 70th birthday.

The service, which is available on dialling the number 123, was founded in 1936 and went nationwide in 1942.

The accuracy of the time given has improved from within one-tenth of a second to within five-thousands of a second - or five milliseconds.

BT says the clock itself is "the size of a small suitcase", compared with the first clock which was about 8ft long.

Happy 70th to the Speaking Clock 8)

We used to have a service like that over here.  Not sure if we still do though

We used to have a service like that over here.  Not sure if we still do though
The reports say that the service is still regularly used today.

I've called ours here in the states a couple thousand times. I like her voice  ;)  happy 70th to a automated time recording

Wow, I never even knew about this.

Neither did I. :o

I do happen to know that today is the 70th birthday of Ruth Buzzi, an actress/comedian best known as a cast member of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In."

He's been depressed since Dial-a-Joke broke up with him, said he was too dull and predictable!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/07/phone.gif