LONDON:
'SOS' the Morse code signal that has saved thousands of lives over the years,
turned 100 years old on Tuesday.
In the past century, "SOS" has
become a firm part of popular culture used in everything from DIY program titles
to Abba hits.
But it began
life in a far more serious setting after being adopted by the international
community on July 1, 1908, as the globally recognised distress signal for ships
at sea.
Until then, the most
commonly used signal was the 'CQD', which held the danger of being interpreted
differently.
After a lot of
discussions, the 'SOS', which consisted of three dots, three dashes and three
more dots was selected, reports Times
Online.
The signal's success
began a year later in 1909 when the Cunard liner the SS Slavonia was stricken
off the Azores, and sent out an SOS signal. Tragedy was averted and no life was
lost.
However, some ships and
boats continued to use the CQD. The need for a universal code was eventually
recognised with the tragedy of the Titanic in April
1912.
"SEND SOS," one of the
Titanic's radio operators supposedly said to another after the famous ship
struck an iceberg. "It's the new call and besides this may be your last chance
to send it."
However, ships in
the area ignored both thinking the Titanic was having a party. It was only after
the loss of lives measured up to 1,500 that the new SOS distress signal was
rarely ignored.