Bulletin debuts new sonic mark with STRYKE Percussion

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists debuted its new “sonic mark” at this year’s Doomsday Clock announcement (listen for it at 8:15). Created in collaboration with STRYKE Percussion, a South Florida non-profit marching percussion ensemble, the “sonic mark” is a signature sound bite used to enrich a brand. By tying it to the Doomsday Clock this project enters a long line of artistic collaboration and inspiration dating back to the Clock’s creation.

The Doomsday Clock was created by Martyl Langsdorf after she was asked by Bulletin co-editor Hyman Goldsmith to come up with a design for the cover of the June 1947 edition of the Bulletin, the first issue published as a magazine rather than a newsletter. Martyl—as she was known professionally—was married to a physicist, Alexander Langsdorf, who worked on the Manhattan Project while at the University of Chicago.

At first the artist considered using the symbol for uranium. But as she listened to the scientists who had worked on the Bomb, as they passionately debated the consequences of the new technology and their responsibility to inform the public, she felt their sense of urgency. So, she sketched a clock to suggest that we didn’t have much time left to get atomic weapons under control.

Graphic designer Michael Bierut reimagined the iconic image in 2007. Others have used it as inspiration for books, movies, comics, and video games. And musicians of all types and genres have referenced it in their music.

Last year STRYKE Percussion carried on that tradition with their performance “7 Minutes to Midnight.” The Bulletin was impressed by STRYKE’s engagement with the material and quality of their performance and asked to use clips from the performance at various events.

Around that time, marketing agency M. Harris & Co. had been advising the Bulletin on how to further professionalize and develop the Doomsday Clock announcement. One of the leading suggestions was to develop a “sonic mark” to compliment the Doomsday Clock’s strong visual identity. STRYKE’s work presented a perfect opportunity to pursue the idea.

Together Bulletin staff and STRYKE volunteer leaders, David Yunis and Josh Guttveg, developed the “sonic mark” that was used in the 2025 Doomsday Clock announcement, adding another chapter in a long history of inspired art.

Watch the full “7 Minutes to Midnight” performance here.