The original setting of the clock was seven minutes to midnight, with midnight signifying the end. A generation ago, people feared nuclear war. Prior to that, we were embroiled in the Second World War and fearful of a new world order. You would think the post First World War crowd would be candidates. Of course it was only named that in retrospect, after the horrors of the First World War.

Source: National Post January 30, 2019 19:52 UTC