Celebrate 100 years of the BBC through familiar and not so familiar objects used in BBC programmes and content. From the bizarre looking Blattnerphone of the 1930s to the Covid Tracker developed by BBC News during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Don't miss the Object of the Future, as envisaged by primary school inventors in conversation with BBC Research & Development.
My first BBC encounter was Andy Pandy, on lunchtime Watch with Mother popping up on our TVscreen in the London suburbs.
But then in parallel I had another very personal experience of the BBC, as my mother was one of the presenters on the Eastern Service at Bush House, and I remember vividly being taken there from the age of five, and encountering first hand the thrilling sense of the BBC broadcasting to the wider world.
On to the collection, and there were so many objects that triggered very personal associations... Alexandra Palace mast: I remember as a young News Correspondent in the 1990s the OB engineers I was working with had to be in line of sight of that famous mast to ensure links to the transmitter. It gave me a wonderful sense of continuity right back to those very first TV technologists. Something almost monumental about it – like an Easter Island statue.
Next, it had to be All You Need is Love from the Our World satellite link up of 1967. So many contributions from other participating nations were worthy even dire, but The Beatles and the BBC understood what people wanted. It was a high point in British youth culture and creativity, and all done so simply and elegantly.
Back to school now, and I am in my Wimbledon all girls secondary school in the basement next to the cloakroom in a room like an old-fashioned telephone box where the BBC Micro sat. No teacher ever told us how to use it, but like thousands of children all over the UK, it was the beginning of my journey into computing. And I think I realised even then that it was taking me into a new world.
What would I add? I think it would be Maida Vale Studio, where so many musical greats – classical and contemporary – performed. I remember sitting near Paul Weller to watch our mutual heroes The Zombies record R4 Mastertapes for example. And it stands for all the BBC buildings, objects, artefacts that staff and audiences treasure, that sometimes sadly seem to be abandoned in managerial reinvention.
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1st BBC TV Ident
Abram Games devised the “Television Symbol” - the first serious attempt at branding a television channel in the UK. -
1st BBC website
15 December 1997 was a landmark moment for the BBC with the launch of its first website. -
2LO
The BBC's first ever radio station which began broadcasting in 1922, from a transmitter on the roof of Selfridges department store. -
African Sports Personality of the Year Award
The trophy so many viewers in Africa will recognise that celebrates the best of African sporting achievement. -
Alexandra Palace Mast
The transmitter and mast that brought the UK’s first regularly scheduled TV service into people’s homes. -
Alistair Cooke's Typewriter
From 1946, Alistair Cooke began his famous BBC radio series Letter from America, and this is the typewriter he used to compile the programmes. -
All You Need Is Love - 45 rpm single
Released in many versions the world over, The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love was commissioned by the BBC for its contribution to the international satellite show Our World. -
AXBT Microphone
The microphone that became a symbol for something more than just a device for broadcasting radio programmes. -
Baird Televisor
The early mechanical television as invented by John Logie Baird. -
BBC Micro
The BBC was quick to help the UK’s education sector when it developed one of the first affordable computers to use in the classroom. It also became popular in the home too. -
BBC Two Ident
For the early 90’s a new on-screen image was devised for the BBC’s second TV channel BBC Two. The everchanging iconic '2’s' were the result. -
Bill and Ben – the Flowerpot Men
The children’s puppets that charmed a generation of children, and returned in later life in two further colour series. -
Blattnerphone
The recording of radio programmes became possible with this extraordinary looking device, which used steel tape to record sound. -
Blue Peter Badge
Awarded for exceptional achievement, the Blue Peter badge is still a much sought after prize and provides the winner an exciting range of benefits. -
Breathing sculpture
The landmark that memorialises the news reporters and crew who died at times of war. -
Broadcasting House
The first purpose-built radio centre in the UK which changed the way in which the BBC produced and broadcast its programmes. -
Captain Tom's Walker
Captain Tom Moore, the 100-year-old World War II veteran set out to raise £1000 for the NHS by walking one hundred laps around his garden with his walker. Without it, the eventual total raised of £40m would not have been possible. -
Casualty Scrubs Costume
The nurse’s ‘scrubs’ gear that belonged to Charlie Fairhead, played by Derek Thompson in the long running medical drama Casualty - first seen in 1986. -
Ceefax
Some of the earliest pages from Ceefax - news and information in text form on your TV launched by the BBC in the 1970s. -
Colour Camera, Philips PC 60
The camera used to televise Wimbledon ’67, one of the earliest events broadcast in colour in Europe. -
Coronation Map
Published in the Radio Times, this map showedthe points at which the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953 would be televised. -
Covid Tracker & World Map
During the first wave of the COVID 19 virus, BBC News devised this useful online tracker to visualise the spread of the virus. -
Crystal Radio set for blind listeners
Radio was of great interest to the blind community from the earliest days of radio in the 1920s. The British Wireless for the Blind Fund was established as early as 1929. -
Dalek mould
The shape of the Dalek, Doctor Who’s most well-known monster, was created in the scenery workshops of BBC TV Centre, using a specially designed mould. -
David Attenborough’s Job Application
The first job David Attenborough applied for in the BBC was as a radio Talks Producer in the Home Service. Handwritten and accompanied with a stamped addressed envelope, his application was rejected. -
David Bowie's Audition Panel Report
Rock legend David Bowie was auditioned for the BBC Talent Selection Group, his report was less than complimentary! -
Desert Island Discs - proposal letter
The creator of Desert Island Discs proposes the legendary series to senior figures in the BBC – outlined in a letter in 1941. -
Douglas Byng LP
A collection of songs and sketches by Douglas Byng - the first drag act to appear on television in the UK.
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EastEnders Queen Vic Bust
The bust of Queen Victoria, famous symbol of The Queen Vic pub as seen in Eastenders. -
Edward VIII microphone
These microphones were used to deliver one of the most sensational royal messages ever - the abdication of Edward VIII. -
Emitron Camera
The camera used in the early days of all-electronic television, in service at the BBC from 1936. -
Empire Road Trilby Hat
The trilby that said so much about the life and times of Norman Beaton and his generation, living on the fictional Empire Road. -
Evelyn Dove – Scrapbook
The personal scrapbook of Evelyn Dove, the first black female singer to perform on BBC Radio in the 1920s. -
Ever So Lonely Single
British Asian singer Sheila Chandra tops the charts with her memorable hit - played extensively on BBC Radio 1. -
Football commentary grid
A diagram of a football pitch, published in the Radio Times to help listeners understand the action during the first broadcast football commentary in 1927. -
Gordon the Gopher puppet
In 1985 Children’s BBC recruited a new presenter – a puppet! It was the loveable Gordon the Gopher. -
Hey Duggee Badge
A badge that celebrates what parents have done to encourage children during the Covid 19 pandemic, created for the hit children’s television series Hey Duggee. -
Intermediate film camera
The device used to deliver ‘as-live’ television pictures to the transmitter as used during the early days of mechanical television. -
Isa Benzie portrait
A portrait from 1939 of Isa Benzie, the pioneering radio producer and BBC Foreign Director. -
John Simpson - Flak Jacket
The BBC's World Affairs Editor wore this jacket when accompanying a convoy of US special forces in Iraq, (2003). -
John Motson’s Coat
The famous sheepskin coat - just one of many, worn by John Motson during a very long career as the leading BBC Television football commentator. -
John Piper Mosaic, Television Centre
The mosaic wall that greets visitors entering the original reception at Television Centre, West London. -
Ken Hom’s Wok
No Chinese chef could be without a wok, and Ken Hom showed the UK why. -
Kennedy Assassination - BBC Reporter's Diary
The fascinating diary of BBC reporter Peter Watson, documenting the American President’s assassination. -
Killing Eve dress
The pink costume dress that caused a television sensation. -
Lamp Standard Radio
A free-standing mahogany lamp standard with radio incorporated - one of the many novelty radios for sale in the pre-war heyday of radio. -
Le Poète Tapestry
In 1949 the French government presented the BBC with a large tapestry, Le Poète (The Poet). It was given in gratitude to the BBC for its efforts in broadcasting to occupied France during World War Two. -
Lisnagarvey Transmitter
A major broadcasting moment in Northern Ireland was the opening of this major radio transmitter in 1936. -
Lip microphone
Commentating on live sports matches or noisy environments was very difficult before the advent of a specialist microphone. The now-familiar 'lip mic' was devised to solve the problem. -
Live Aid Pass
This pass provided access to all areas for the crew working behind the scenes on the biggest live TV event of its time – Live Aid. -
Madhur Jaffrey’s Indian Cookery book
Madhur Jaffrey’s Indian Cookery Course on BBC Two was arguably in large part responsible for the British people’s appreciation of Indian cuisine, and her book became the curry bible for many. -
Mastermind Chair
The black and chrome chair that symbolised the terror of one of television’s toughest quiz programmes. -
MCR21 - Television Outside Broadcasts Truck
Mobile Control Room 21 - the third OB of ten to be built by the BBC in 1963. -
Meatsafe microphone
One of the earliest microphones used by the BBC in the 1920s looked like a meatsafe! -
Midget recorder
One of the first means of recording commentary and actuality in the field - developed by the BBC. -
Mirror Globe Ident
From the early 1960s a rotating globe symbolised the BBC’s primary TV channel, BBC One. Behind the electronic processing which added colour, it was a motorised mechanical device with a mirror. -
Monty Python’s Flying Circus graphics
The zany opening titles and graphics used in Monty Python’s Flying Circus. -
Moon Landing Radio Times Special
The biggest space event of the 20th century marked by the Radio Times. -
Morph
The loveable stop-motion animated character made famous by Tony Hart in the early 1980s. -
Mr Darcy Shirt
The famous white shirt worn by Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. -
Object of the Future
An object that may play a part in our lives in 10, 20, and 30 years, as seen through the eyes of young people today in conversation with BBC Research and Development. -
One Foot in the Grave Frozen Cat
This 'cat' - infact a prop - was found in Victor Meldrew's freezer, in the classic episode of One Foot in the Grave. -
Only Fools & Horses - Reliant Regal Supervan III
Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses toured the streets of south London in this clapped out yellow three-wheeler. He used it with often hilarious consequences throughout the long-running series. -
Orwell statue
George Orwell worked briefly at the BBC, but left a permanent mark on a broadcasting landmark.
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Open University Degree Ceremony Booklet
A memento from the first ever degree ceremony to be held for Open University graduates. -
Peaky Blinders Cap
The cap that became so popular because of the Peaky Blinders series. -
Play School Toys
The famous toys as seen from episode one in the long-running BBC TV series Play School. -
Pobol y Cwm Pub Sign
Right from the start, the BBC’s longest-running soap opera Pobol y Cwm featured storylines from a pub - the Deri Arms. From the latest gossip to declarations of marriage - the Deri has seen it all and the pub’s sign has shown the way. -
Poison-tipped Umbrella
Journalist and broadcaster Georgi Markov, a regular voice on the BBC Bulgarian Service, was murdered with this poison tipped umbrella. -
Proms Poster
The Promenade Concerts were given wide appeal by the BBC - this poster seen widely, was typical of the pre-war years. -
Pudsey Bear
The loveable bear was adopted for the BBC’s main fundraising programme Children in Need as its mascot, in 1985. -
Puppet on a String – Score
The 1967 Eurovision Song Contest winner was the UK. Puppet on a String was the song - this is Sandie Shaw’s score. -
Radio Foyle Anniversary Animations
Radio Foyle’s Gerry Anderson, remembered fondly in animation. -
Radio Licence
An early BBC licence fee from the 1920s, which only covered radio and cost 10 shillings. The BBC was deluged with applications, and revenue rapidly increased, allowing the BBC to expand broadcasting hours. -
Radio Times, the 1st Edition
The listings magazine hit the news stands in the Autumn of 1923, and was published as a response to newspapers who felt threatened by the rise of radio. -
Radiophonic Workshop – ‘Instruments’
The creator of electronic and experimental music for the BBC used all manner of everyday objects to build up musical soundtracks for iconic series such as Doctor Who. -
Reith's job application
The application letter of the BBC’s first Director-General, John Reith. -
Royal Charter
The legal footing on which the BBC operates. -
Sherlock’s coat
The iconic Belstaff Milford coat worn by Benedict Cumberbatch. -
Radio Spot Effects
No radio drama would be complete without sound effects - click to see why. -
Sports Personality of the Century – Trophy
Aged 57, boxer Muhammad Ali wins the much coveted BBC Sports Personality awards, 1999. -
Stig’s helmet
Stig’s helmet is synonymous with the mysterious driver from the top rated motoring show Top Gear. The white helmet accompanies Stig on all his test drive and exploits. -
Strictly Come Dancing glitter ball
The revolving glitter ball is one of the features of the opening titles of Strictly Come Dancing, as well as its end of show trophy. -
Teletubbies Costume
Loveable and surreal in equal measure the Teletubbies made their mark on children’s television from the late 1990s. -
Television Centre
The building, shaped like a question mark, became the UK’s 'television Hollywood', and saw the production of thousands of BBC television programmes during its lifetime as a BBC building. -
Testcard F
A testcard has appeared on BBC TV in various forms since the television service began in 1936, Testcard F is one of the best remembered examples. -
The Archers 1st script
The Archers began its national run on the BBC Home Service on 1 January 1951,and here is the very first script. -
The Pips
The machine used to create the Greenwich Time Signal. -
The Reverend Jolly’s Chair
BBC Scotland’s best-loved and gloomiest comedy characters, The Rev I M Jolly, sat in this chair from 1978 until 1999, dispensing words of wisdom in the only way he knew how! -
The Shipping Forecast Map
One of the earliest Shipping Forecast Maps in the BBC Archives from 1925. -
The Stripper - Score from Morecambe & Wise
The music for the famous ‘Stripper’ sketch, mapped out in a musical score from 1976. -
This Country Dress
The dress worn at BAFTA with a special footballing feel. -
Una Marson - Appointment Memo
Una Marson was the first producer on BBC radio of Caribbean heritage - this is a memo recommending her appointment to the BBC. -
Under Milk Wood Script
The script of Dylan Thomas’s famous ‘play for voices’, broadcast on BBC Radio on 25 January 1954. -
Variety Programmes Policy Guide
An early guidebook for BBC producers that warned them against broadcasting vulgarity and jokes about certain members of the audience. -
V.E.R.A.
An early video recorder developed by the BBC - and demonstrated with great pride on Panorama in 1957. -
Wartime broadcasting – manual
The ‘War Book’ of plans drawn up by the BBC during the Cold War for a Wartime Broadcasting System. -
Wilfred Pickles – Autobiography
Wilfred was the first BBC announcer to speak in a regional accent on radio, this is his autobiography. -
Woman's Hour – Quilt
A patchwork quilt was made by the listeners of Woman’s Hour, to mark 75 years of suffrage, in 1993. -
Women TV Announcer Press Cutting
Prior to the opening of the BBC Television Service (1936), the BBC advertised for women announcers - they were looking for special talents, but turned down those with red hair!