These unique objects date back to the origins of radio and television broadcasting. Mainly related to the British professional television and radio industries, explore the technologies and engineering of broadcasting represented by these objects.
Television
1937-1960
L1 lip microphone, manufactured by Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company Limited for the BBC, Chelmsford, Essex, England, 1937-1960
1951
Marconi Mark II television camera head, made by Marconi's Wireless Telegraphy Company Limited, British, 1951.
1923
Savoy Hill "Meat Safe" microphone stand for the Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone type microphone, made by Marconi's Wireless Telegraphy Company Limited, probably Chelmsford, Essex, England, 1923
2001
Pace model DSL4000 IPTV set-top box, with remote control, manufactured by Pace plc, British, 2001.
2000-2006
Video Networks Limited (HomeChoice) set top box, manufactured by Video Networks Limited, 2000-2006
1946-1948
PYE B16T table-top television receiver, manufactured by Pye Limited, East Anglia, England, 1946-1948.
2008
'Digit Al' doll, designed by Abbot Mead Vickers BDDO, unknown maker, 2008. Produced to promote the digital television switchover.
Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone, Serial Number 271376, made by Marconi's Wireless Telegraphy Company Limited, probably Chelmsford, Essex, England, 1923. Very early moving coil microphone, DC energised. Uses the large flat coil as the diaphragm. Used at Savoy Hill, mounted in the 'Meat Safe' microphone stand. This example missing the coil.
1950-1955
Picture and waveform monitor B.D. 627C, plus camera control chassis B.D. 626E for the Marconi Mk II television camera, made by Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company, Chelmsford, Essex, England, 1950-1955
1951-1953
Home-built 405-line television receiver with 7 inch screen constructed by electrical engineer J Hueting of Peckham, London, England, about 1952. Assembled using an ad-hoc assortment of electronic parts. Similarly the cabinet is constructed from scrap wood and metal collected at the time.
Pace remote control for Sky+ HD satellite receiver, manufactured by Universal Electronics for Pace plc, Europe, 2008.
Pace Sky+ HD satellite receiver, manufactured for Pace plc, Europe, 2008. It includes Sky+ functionality and a built in HD video recorder.
1948
Watson varifocal lens Model 75/6.7 (No 206), manufactured by Watson & Son, Barnet, London, England, 1948. Watson varifocal lens Model 75/6.7 (No 206). Example of a television camera zoom lens, to fit a Pye Mark III camera. Used to film the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
2007
Media pass with lanyard, worn by TV crew at the Great North Run, 29 September 2007.
Badge worn by BBC Television crew at the Benson and Hedges Masters Snooker tournament.
c. 1990
Philips BSB STU902 satellite television receiver, c 1988.
1972-1973
'Rigonda' portable television receiver, VL100M, 1972-1973. Made at the Mezon Works, Leningrad.
1962-1972
Taylor-Hobson Varotal XVI zoom lens, c 1967 for Philips PC 60 television camera.
Alba TRG097AC combined radiogram and television receiver, 1951.
c. 1949
Baird Townsman console television receiver, serial number T2925, with instruction manual, 1949
1990
Marcopolo Mints, made by Rowntree for British Satellite Broadcasting in 1990. The mints were given out by British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) in lieu of change-of-address cards when BSB moved from their temporary facilities to Marcopolo House in Battersea, South London in August of 1990. BSB’s new marble and glass building, designed by postmodern architect Ian Pollard, was named after BSB’s satellites, Marcopolo 1 and 2.
1964-1988
'Little Ted', soft toy from BBC children's programme 'Playschool', c 1977.
1938
Marconiphone 5-inch tabletop combined television and radio receiver Model 706, 1938; incorporates 'Emiscope' picture-tube (1981-474).
1944
Specimen of Baird's 2-colour cathode ray tube for colour television (telechrome tube).
c. 1950
The Donald Fleming Collection of North American television receivers: Zenith G2326 14" 'porthole' tabletop television receiver, 1948.
1935-36
Image dissector tube by Philo T Farnsworth, used by Baird, rescued from the remains of the Crystal Palace in London following the fire on 30 November 1936 (melted).
Satellite dish, known as the 'Squariel', to receive British Satellite Broadcasting television.
'Humpty', soft toy from BBC children's programme 'Playschool', c 1977.
'Big Ted', soft toy from BBC children's programme 'Playschool', c 1977.
1946
Pye B16T television receiver, manufactured by Pye Ltd, 1946.
1958
KB PVP20 'Royal Star' 17" monochrome television receiver.
c. 1950s
Gelatin silver print by unknown photographer showing HRH the Duke of Edinburgh inspecting machinery at Pye Ltd. in Cambridge. Also pictured are L-R: Harry Woolger (Telecom Managing Director), Charles Orr (C.O.) Stanley, unknown, and John Brinkley.
1992
Philips 'MatchLine' Eureka 95 high-definition monitor-receiver and HD-MAC encoder, 1992. On Bose Home Cinema Sound Stand. Television Model 32HD8999/19B, Manufacturer Serial Number AG999210500211 (EU Serial Number 01BX199200026190).
1966-1967
Philips T-Vette dual standard portable monochrome television receiver, 1966-1967. Battery (external 12 volt) or mains-use portable receiver.
1987
DXC-101P single chip CCD (charged coupled device) camera, manufactured by Sony, Japan, 1988.
c. 1980
C7 Betamax made by Sony from 1980.The Sony C7 was introduced in early 1980 and offered features that had never been seen before on home video recorders such as picture search, slow motion, and an end-of-tape alarm. Serial No. 33355578; Model No. SL-C7UB
1989
Amstrad SDX60 60mm satellite television dish, manufactured for Amstrad, Birmingham, England, 1989.
1994
Saba 'Jim Nature' portable television receiver, 1994.
c. 1959
HMV monochrome television receiver, Model 1892, manufactured about 1959. The set has a 13 channel tuner which also includes VHF radio. The cabinet is made from a single piece of veneered steamed plywood.
c. 1940
Desk calendar and pen set belonging to a former employee of the Baird Television Company, bearing the signature of John Logie Baird and members of his staff, 1930-1950.
1956-1978
Hughie Greene's Clapometer (Audience Reaction Indicator). Part of the collection of historic television cameras etc. acquired from Thames Television plc.
c. 1926
'Stookie / Stooky Bill' ventiloquist's dummy head. From The Plessey Museum.
1967-1970
Spectra Colour Studio television receiver, manufactured by Nordmende 1967-1970, Germany. Features four picture tubes, one colour and three monochrome.
1937
Lip microphone Type L1, specially designed by the BBC and manufactured by Marconi, 1937. In box with equaliser.
unknown
Silver gelatin photograph by unknown photographer, mounted on brown paper. Image shows close-up portrait of E.J.W. Stanley, Sales Director of Pye Ltd.
Silver gelatin photograph by unknwn photographer showing Peter Threlfall, Honorary President of Pye Ltd.
1952
'Bowjection' projection television by Rainbow Radio serial no X10013, 1952. Monochrome video projector using the Mullard optical system (2.5 inch tube in a schmidt folded optical system).
2009
Remote control for Pace CANAL+ 'Le Cube' hybrid HD satellite TV/IPTV receiver and video recorder, manufactured by Pace plc, Hungary, 2009.
1947-1949
Pilot TV-37 Candid 3" portable television receiver, 1947-1949.
1961
Philips television receiver, 19" table model, 19TG 142A, serial no.BA23836, 1961110 degree deflection, Band I/III table top television fitted with vision AGC (automatic gain control) and sound AVC (automatic volume control).
