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
2000-2006
Video Networks Limited (HomeChoice) set top box, manufactured by Video Networks Limited, 2000-2006
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
2001
Pace model DSL4000 IPTV set-top box, with remote control, manufactured by Pace plc, British, 2001.
2008
'Digit Al' doll, designed by Abbot Mead Vickers BDDO, unknown maker, 2008. Produced to promote the digital television switchover.
Pace Sky+ HD satellite receiver, manufactured for Pace plc, Europe, 2008. It includes Sky+ functionality and a built in HD video recorder.
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
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.
1946-1948
PYE B16T table-top television receiver, manufactured by Pye Limited, East Anglia, England, 1946-1948.
c. 1926
'Stookie / Stooky Bill' ventiloquist's dummy head. From The Plessey Museum.
1950
The Donald Fleming Collection of North American television receivers: Raytheon Model M-1601 C-1602, 17" console television receiver, 1949. 'Washing Machine' (circular screen or 'porthole') Type Set. Very unusual looking set to Europeans used to oblong screens.
1928
Baird Model B Televisor, 1928. These were also known as the 'Dual Exhibition' receiver, or the 'Noah's Ark' receiver. They were constructed in London at the Baird premises at 133 Long Acre. A very small number were made originally, 'perhaps only a dozen', according to the memoirs of TH Bridgewater, an engineer who worked for the Baird Company at this time. Nonetheless, they represent the first mass-produced television sets.
1959-1961
Ampex VR1000 2 inch quadruplex videorecorder tape transport, from 1959. Model VR-1000C, Serial No: 898. This transport was on display for many years in the Ampex UK head office in Reading. Presented to NMPFT by Ampex UK.
2004-2013
A 440ml Stelberg Special Premium Lager Beer can, with liquid contents, from the television programme, "Shameless."
1967-1970
Spectra Colour Studio television receiver, manufactured by Nordmende 1967-1970, Germany. Features four picture tubes, one colour and three monochrome.
1964-1988
'Poppy', doll with plastic head, arms and legs from BBC children's programme 'Playschool', c 1977. Poppy has long, dark hair and is wearing a blue dungarees and shirt with white stripes.
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
Pace remote control for Sky+ HD satellite receiver, manufactured by Universal Electronics for Pace plc, Europe, 2008.
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.
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
1962
The Donald Fleming Collection of North American television receivers: Sony 5" 5-303W portable television receiver and in carrying case, 1962 (Original text reads Sony 6" portable 'suitcase' television receiver, 1959).
'Humpty', soft toy from BBC children's programme 'Playschool', c 1977.
1994
Saba 'Jim Nature' portable television receiver, 1994.
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.
1959
The Donald Fleming Collection of North American television receivers: Philco 'Predicta' Princess 17" tabletop television receiver, 1959.
c.1980
Tube Cube television, made by Pye Ltd, Cambridge, c.1980.
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).
1953
Pye V4 12 " monochrome television receiver, tabletop model, single channel, Serial Number 985035, known as 'washboard' set.
'Little Ted', soft toy from BBC children's programme 'Playschool', c 1977.
1987
DXC-101P single chip CCD (charged coupled device) camera, manufactured by Sony, Japan, 1988.
1980-1985
BBC 2 station identification caption or 'tuning device', 1967. Presented to Aubrey Singer, Controller BBC 2, 1978. Example of a mechanical animated TV graphic. Fitted with presentation panel that reads 'Aubrey Singer / Controller BBC 2 / 1974-1978'.
1948-1958
Pye Mark III television camera head, c 1952. Image orthicon camera type 2028, used by Associated TeleVision (ATV). Moulded cream plastic letters 'ATV' attached to side of camera.
1938
Marconiphone 5-inch tabletop combined television and radio receiver Model 706, 1938; incorporates 'Emiscope' picture-tube (1981-474).
1981
Neve digital sound desk, ex-BBC DSP-1, 1985, the complete system, including several racks of processing equipment
1972-1973
'Rigonda' portable television receiver, VL100M, 1972-1973. Made at the Mezon Works, Leningrad.
Sennheiser MKH 805 capacitor type line microphone in original case, c. 1966. Serial. No. 2001. Tuchel connector.
A 330ml Ahren Export Premier Lager bottle, from the television programme "Shameless."
c. 1990
Philips BSB STU902 satellite television receiver, c 1988.
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).
1930-1940
Baird 'Disc model' televisor, manufactured by John Logie Baird and Plessey Company Limited in c. 1930. Serial No. 191.
2000
'Coronation Street' Monopoly game, produced in 2000 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the show.
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.
1956-1978
Hughie Greene's Clapometer (Audience Reaction Indicator). Part of the collection of historic television cameras etc. acquired from Thames Television plc.
Perdio 'Portorama' portable television receiver, 1962.
c. 1946
Marconi AXBT microphone Type A, manufactured by Marconi, c. 1944. BBC ribbon microphone with stand.
'Big Ted', soft toy from BBC children's programme 'Playschool', c 1977.
1936
EMI Emitron camera head, one of the original Emitrons used by Marconi-EMI from the beginning of the BBC's British Television Service at Alexandra Palace, 1936.
1949-52
Watson Model 75 Television Zoom Lens, No. 117, manufactured by W Watson and Sons Limited, London, 1949-52.
'Dapple' the rocking horse from BBC children's television series 'Playschool', c 1977
