Argy58
BBC: British Broadcasting Corporation's National Service Badge c1940
A very early and ornate British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) staff badge showing interlocking 'BBC' letterforms and graphic symbolism associated with broadcasting such as thunderbolts (radio waves), and the amplified wings of Ariel, messenger of the gods. The coiled, central column acts as a backbone, binding the symbolism together. This design is a partial extraction from a section of the BBC's Coat of Arms (1927) showing the above thunderbolt in the grasp of a rampant lion.
It was during the WW11 years that this staff badge became the organisation's official war service badge, or in other words, their National Service Badge. Archival photos exist of BBC staff wearing the badge during the war years and although the badge was associated with this period, it was, in all probability, used as a staff badge before hostilities began.
Indeed, the design of the badge shown here was used by the BBC on printed matter as far back as 1930. For example, a 1930 'descriptive souvenir' brochure entitled, 'The London Twin-Wave Broadcasting Station, Brookmans Park', shows this logo design on the front and rear pages.
During WW11, the BBC closed down its television operation and all news and entertainment was channelled through the medium of radio. It was the first 'Broadcast War' and during this austere period the BBC provided a pivotal and mission critical service through its two daily channels - Home and Forces ('on air' from 7a.m. until midnight). The service not only kept the British population 'informed', but the occupied countries as well. Initially, friction existed between the Government and the BBC but as the war progressed there was a wind of change - the independent authority of the Corporation gave way to increasing respect from the Government.
Photography, layout and design: Argy58
(This image also exists as a high resolution jpeg and tiff - ideal for a
variety of print sizes e.g. A4, A3, A2 and A1. The current uploaded
format is for screen based viewing only: 72pi)
BBC: British Broadcasting Corporation's National Service Badge c1940
A very early and ornate British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) staff badge showing interlocking 'BBC' letterforms and graphic symbolism associated with broadcasting such as thunderbolts (radio waves), and the amplified wings of Ariel, messenger of the gods. The coiled, central column acts as a backbone, binding the symbolism together. This design is a partial extraction from a section of the BBC's Coat of Arms (1927) showing the above thunderbolt in the grasp of a rampant lion.
It was during the WW11 years that this staff badge became the organisation's official war service badge, or in other words, their National Service Badge. Archival photos exist of BBC staff wearing the badge during the war years and although the badge was associated with this period, it was, in all probability, used as a staff badge before hostilities began.
Indeed, the design of the badge shown here was used by the BBC on printed matter as far back as 1930. For example, a 1930 'descriptive souvenir' brochure entitled, 'The London Twin-Wave Broadcasting Station, Brookmans Park', shows this logo design on the front and rear pages.
During WW11, the BBC closed down its television operation and all news and entertainment was channelled through the medium of radio. It was the first 'Broadcast War' and during this austere period the BBC provided a pivotal and mission critical service through its two daily channels - Home and Forces ('on air' from 7a.m. until midnight). The service not only kept the British population 'informed', but the occupied countries as well. Initially, friction existed between the Government and the BBC but as the war progressed there was a wind of change - the independent authority of the Corporation gave way to increasing respect from the Government.
Photography, layout and design: Argy58
(This image also exists as a high resolution jpeg and tiff - ideal for a
variety of print sizes e.g. A4, A3, A2 and A1. The current uploaded
format is for screen based viewing only: 72pi)