The computer first beeped almost 50 years ago. It hasn’t stopped since. And now it’s not alone. Pagers beep. Answering machines beep. ATMs beep. Elevators beep. Phones beep. We have warning beeps, ...

One of the most common sounds in the modern world is the beep. From microwaves and cellphones to computers and backing-up trucks, this high-pitched alert pings us from every direction. But how is it ...

The bouncy beeps of Pac-Man. The percussive build-up in Legend of Zelda. The effusive gibberish of The Sims. The sounds in videogames tell us to speed up, start over, and of course, to keep playing.

This is the eighth in an exclusive series of 50 articles, one published each day until July 20, exploring the 50th anniversary of the first-ever Moon landing. You can check out 50 Days to the Moon ...