The RMS Titanic leaves Belfast, 1912. * Photo: Courtesy of U.S. National Archives and Records Administration * 1904: "CQD" is adopted as the international distress signal for the operators of Marconi ...

The distress signal CQD originated from the signal CQ, expressing "seeking you," or "all stations." The signal CQ was commonly used among wireless operators -- and land-based telegraphers before them ...

Technically “SOS,” doesn’t officially stand for any of these phrases. It’s the international abbreviation for distress—not to be confused with an acronym (see acronym vs. abbreviation for the ...

These are all things that “SOS,” the international abbreviation for distress, does not stand for. Best known for its appearances in desert island cartoons, maritime movies, and earworms by ABBA and ...