Capitol Records Building: A Beacon of Encrypted Messages Since 1956

Nestled in the heart of Hollywood, the Capitol Records Building, with its distinctive circular design, has been an architectural symbol of the music industry since its construction in 1956. Known for its iconic design reminiscent of a stack of records on a turntable, the building has been home to some of the most influential names in music, such as Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, and the Beach Boys. But there's more to this historic landmark than meets the eye. For over six decades, the Capitol Records Building has been transmitting secret encrypted messages into the night sky of Los Angeles.

A Bit of Background

The Capitol Records Building, designed by Welton Becket, was the world's first circular office tower, standing at 13 stories high. It was, and remains, a fitting testament to the creativity and innovation of the music industry. What is perhaps less known is the contribution to this legacy made by a certain beacon light installed at the top of the building. This spire, originally purposed as an aircraft warning light, has served as a clandestine messenger, tirelessly blinking out coded transmissions since the building's inception.

The Encrypted Beacon

The brainchild of this fascinating idea was none other than Capitol's then president, Alan Livingston. Having a fondness for the unique and intriguing, Livingston arranged for the building's beacon light to transmit Morse code, the communication system invented in the 19th century consisting of dots and dashes that represent letters and numbers.

The original message encoded in the blinking light was "Hollywood," a fitting tribute to the entertainment capital of the world where Capitol Records had found its home. It was a homage to the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown and the dreams it represented. To the untrained eye, the light would seem like a mere flicker, but those well-versed in Morse code could discern the encoded homage.

Modern-day Messages

In the years since its establishment, the coded messages have undergone a few alterations. In 1992, to honor Capitol's 50th anniversary, the message was temporarily changed to "Capitol 50." After this, the beacon returned to its original "Hollywood" transmission.

A momentous change came in 2013, as part of the celebration of the company's 75th anniversary. The code was then changed to "Capitol 75" for an entire year. Following this, it returned to the traditional message of "Hollywood," and it has continued with this tradition since then.

Significance

This light beacon is more than just a charming nod to the past. It also serves as a testament to the enduring power of music and the creativity that embodies the industry. The encrypted messages sent out into the Los Angeles skyline symbolize the mystery and allure of Hollywood, a place where dreams are made and stars are born.

The Capitol Records Building continues to stand as a beacon of innovation, creativity, and the profound impact of music on our culture. The encrypted messages, much like the art of music itself, require interpretation, offering something unique to those who take the time to understand and decode them.

In a world of rapidly evolving technology and communication, the ongoing transmissions from this historic landmark are a captivating blend of old and new. Just as it did in 1956, the iconic building continues to send its coded signals into the night, a silent serenade to the city that never sleeps and a symbol of the enduring power of music.