BBC Radiophonic Workshop Items

Made:
1963-1993
Hand bell Plastic Swannee Whistle Beater Tape guide with stand, labelled "do not fiddle with" Tambourine Beater Tape guide with stand, labelled "do not fiddle with" Tambourine Mijwiz, twin reed musical instrument Tape splicing black with tape and razor blade Lampshade used as a sound source by Delia Derbyshire for "Blue Plastic Ocarina Plastic Ocarina Mijwiz, twin reed musical instrument "Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967 Hand bell Plastic Swannee Whistle "Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967 Lampshade used as a sound source by Delia Derbyshire for "Blue Beater Tambourine Tambourine Beater Tambourine Tambourine "Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967

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Hand bell
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Plastic Swannee Whistle
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Beater
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tape guide with stand, labelled "do not fiddle with"
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tambourine
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Beater
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tape guide with stand, labelled "do not fiddle with"
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tambourine
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Mijwiz, twin reed musical instrument
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tape splicing black with tape and razor blade
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Lampshade used as a sound source by Delia Derbyshire for "Blue
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Plastic Ocarina
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Plastic Ocarina
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Mijwiz, twin reed musical instrument
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

"Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hand bell
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Plastic Swannee Whistle
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

"Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Lampshade used as a sound source by Delia Derbyshire for "Blue
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Beater
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tambourine
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tambourine
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Beater
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tambourine
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tambourine
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

"Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Items from the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop, 1963-1993. Three boxes containing various musical instruments, drumsticks, bells, gongs, recorders, etc. Plus tape splicing items & contact microphone used in the Radiophonic Workshop. There is a Fortiphone device and mouthpiece in its original box, but the model number is not clear. This is a fascinating instrument which, using a false upper palate, fitted with a transistor buzzer, takes over the duties of the human larynx. Sound produced by the buzzer or artificial voice is modulated by the movement of the lips and mouth, producing clearly intelligible words. It was originally designed by a dental surgeon.

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop was one of the sound effects units of the BBC, created in 1958 to produce incidental sounds and new music for radio and, later, television. The unit is known for its experimental and pioneering work in electronic music and music technology, as well as its popular scores for programs such as Doctor Who and Quatermass and the Pit during the 1950s and 1960s.

The original Radiophonic Workshop was based in the BBC's Maida Vale Studios in Delaware Road, Maida Vale, London. The Workshop was closed in March 1998, although much of its traditional work had already been outsourced by 1995. Its members included Daphne Oram, Delia Derbyshire, David Cain, John Baker, Paddy Kingsland, Glynis Jones, Maddalena Fagandini and Richard Yeoman-Clark.

Parts

Swannee Whistle from BBC's Radiophonic Workshop

Swannee Whistle from BBC's Radiophonic Workshop

Plastic Swannee Whistle from the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop.

Measurements:
overall: 480 mm x 30 mm x 25 mm, .14 kg
Materials:
steel (metal) and plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/3
type:
whistle
Ocarina used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Ocarina used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Ocarina, used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Manufacturer unknown.

Measurements:
overall: 70 mm x 40 mm x 205 mm, 0.2 kg
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and paint
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/4
type:
ocarina
Tape guide without stand used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Tape guide without stand used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Tape guide without stand, labelled, 'Do not fiddle with'. Used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

Measurements:
overall: 15 mm x 177 mm x 62 mm, .11 kg
Materials:
steel (metal) and plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/7
type:
accessory
Lampshade used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Lampshade used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

"Coolicon" utility lighting shade, made in England, used as a sound source by Delia Derbyshire for 'Blue Veils & Golden Sands', 1967. Used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

Measurements:
overall: 210 mm x 290 mm x 290 mm, .25 kg
Materials:
steel (metal) , brass (copper, zinc alloy) and paint
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/8
type:
lampshade
‘Crystal Palace’ Capacitive Fader used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

‘Crystal Palace’ Capacitive Fader used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

‘Crystal Palace’ capacitive fader designed by Dave Young. It was used in Brian Hodgson's music for 'The Machine Stops' in 1966.

Measurements:
overall: 327 mm x 307 mm x 230 mm, 11.3 kg
Materials:
plastic (unidentified) , steel (metal) and electrical components
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/9
type:
sound device
Hand Bell used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Hand Bell used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Bronze hand bell mounted on right-angle metal bracket.

Measurements:
overall: 130 mm x 75 mm x 75 mm, 210 g
Materials:
bronze (copper, tin alloy) and iron
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/10
type:
hand bell
Tape guide used in BBC Radiophonic workshop

Tape guide used in BBC Radiophonic workshop

Tape guide used in the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop.

Measurements:
overall: 72 mm x 80 mm x 60 mm, .96 kg
Materials:
steel (metal)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/11
type:
accessory
Drumstick used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Drumstick used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Wooden drumstick. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/14
type:
drumstick
Drumstick used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Drumstick used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Wooden drumstick with end broken off. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/15
type:
drumstick
Metal Cylinder used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal Cylinder used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal cylinder, possibly a tape guide. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/17
type:
component
Tuning peg used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Tuning peg used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Tuning peg from unidentified stringed instrument. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/18
type:
component
Metal chain used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal chain used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal chain. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/19
type:
chain
Metal washer used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal washer used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal washer, slightly domed. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/20
type:
washer
Metal clamp used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal clamp used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal clamp. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/21
type:
clamp
Metal electric bell cover used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal electric bell cover used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal electric bell cover. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Measurements:
overall: 15 mm 80 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/25
type:
accessory
Artificial aid to speech by Fortiphone

Artificial aid to speech by Fortiphone

Fortiphone device and mouthpiece in its original box, but the model number is not clear. This instrument uses a false upper palate, fitted with a transistor buzzer, to take over the duties of the human larynx. Sound produced by the buzzer or artificial voice is modulated by the movement of the lips and mouth, producing clearly intelligible words. It was originally designed by a dental surgeon. ...

Brass Bell Cover used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Brass Bell Cover used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Brass dome - bell or bell cover, marked 24B. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/28
type:
accessory
Mallet head used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Mallet head used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Percussion mallet head. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Measurements:
overall: 25 mm,
Materials:
rubber (unidentified)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/29
type:
sound device
Penny whistle/recorder used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Penny whistle/recorder used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Green plastic penny whistle/ recorder. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/38
type:
aerophone
Triangle musical instrument used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Triangle musical instrument used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Triangle musical instrument. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/39
type:
struck idiophone
Clave used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Clave used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Light wood clave (percussion instrument). Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Measurements:
overall: 190 mm 20 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/41
type:
percussion idiophone
Chopstick used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Chopstick used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Plastic chopstick, BBC Radiophonic Workshop Collection, England, 1958 – 1998.

Materials:
plastic (unidentified)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/42
type:
chopstick
Bell cover used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Bell cover used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal bell cover. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/43
type:
component
Metal discs on wire used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal discs on wire used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Metal discs on wire, possibly arcade tokens. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/44
type:
tokens
Guitar strings and finger cymbals used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Guitar strings and finger cymbals used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Guitar strings with finger cymbals. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/46
type:
sound device
Spiral metal wire used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Spiral metal wire used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Spiral metal wire on domed metal base. Part of BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/47
type:
wire