Countdown

For other meanings of the term countdown, see Countdown (disambiguation).

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A countdown is the backward counting to indicate the seconds, days, etc. remaining before an event occurs or a deadline expires. Typical events for which a countdown is used include the launch of a rocket or spacecraft, the explosion of a bomb, the start of a race, or the New Year.

Related Topics:
Rocket - Spacecraft - Bomb - Race - New Year

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In the context of a rocket launch, the "T minus Time" is the time before launch, e.g. "The countdown was held at T minus 5 minutes for 3 minutes and 40 seconds". The last ten seconds are usually counted down aloud "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Lift off!"

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The first known use with respect to launching a rocket occurred in Fritz Lang's 1929 film Frau im Mond. In the film, after each number the words "seconds to go" was repeated.

Related Topics:
Fritz Lang - 1929 - Film - Frau im Mond

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When counting down to the launch of an explosive, e.g. when testing a new model of gun, it is customary to omit "5" from the countdown sequence because "five" sounds too similar to "Fire!".

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At the start of old films, the pre-title countdown sequence leading up to the actual start of the film would go: "10 NINE 8 7 SIX 5 4 3" in one-second intervals. The 6 and 9 are spelt out to avoid confusion in case the film is put in upside-down. The countdown ends at three so that the countdown isn't shown if the film is put on screen a little earlier than intended. Although this sequence was usually not intended for broadcast, being a cue device for a projectionist or TV producer, it is often used in modern-day spoofs to signify old film footage.

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