The BBC Computer Literacy Project | The BBC at 100

The BBC has always been an innovator in the field of technology, and produced its own micro computer in 1981 - the BBC Micro.
David Allen, editor of the BBC Computer Literacy Project in the early 1980s, discusses the TV programmes and the BBC Micro computer that were produced to educate and inform the general public about the micro computer revolution. He presents some clips from the television programmes that introduced the British public to industrial robots, BASIC programming and computer hacking.
To mark the 100th anniversary of the BBC, the museum has created a "pop up" gallery to showcase broadcast technology: wireless sets, television and teletext. This talk was given on the opening day of our exhibition.
Recorded 15th October 2022.
Links:
All the programmes from the various CLP series can be viewed at the following BBC archive:
clp.bbcrewind.co.uk
The BBC Genome Project (searchable database of BBC programmes):
genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/
Horizon: Now the chips are down
genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/8165fe87a...
This influential Horizon television programme was one that prompted the UK government and broadcasters to think about the coming micro revolution. This programme can currently (as 2022) be viewed on the BBC iPlayer for those resident in the UK:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...

[@fearless1000]

I wrote my first code on a BBC Micro in primary school in the early 90s and now I'm 15 years into a career as a software engineer. So, for me personally, the project was a massive success :)

[@Petertronic]

Excellent talk.

[@anthonystevens8683]

I was in my late teens when the BBC Micro was announced. At the time every one at work who was a bit of a techy nerd was talking about them. Unfortunately I never had either the model A or B as they were expensive on an apprentice wage. I didn't realise at the time that the BBC Micro was part of a much larger project, I guess I was born a year or two too late as I think my school got its first computer a year or so after I left. I did self re educate some 10 year after but I was always having to play catch up. Anyway enough of my ramblings, this was a great video that brought back some memories of the 80's when I was a teenager and computers were really cool to develop on as opposed to these days where most of us are users including myself, it's been over 23 years since I wrote a line of code as a software engineer and things have changed a lot since then.

[@rabidbigdog]

It is fascinating to now understand that this program was completely planned. The visionaries that understood micro-computers were a necessary part of future education are owed so much by all of us that have had careers in computing.

[@ms-ex8em]

did Lander have sound ? on the Acorn Archimedes A305 ?? i reckon it did (i know) it did....................

[@zxspectum]

Awesome, loved this presentation being a big fan of the micro series. I distincly remember watching "The chips are down" by Horizon and had a big impact on me and my choice of career. I'm certainly going to check out the project, especially the programs the BBC have made since. I do agree too that the BCC science programs they make now are a little lite weight. I'll be in the UK next year and will make a visit to TNMOC

[@tnmoc]

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you at TNMOC.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

The socket called the TUBE could take a second CPU

[@anthonyorafferty5632]

Interesting 'public awareness campaign'. We need that now too with block-chain technology will change everything in the coming years. Also people just laugh at Bitcoin but it's on it's way.

[@stephenwalters9891]

First!

[@robprupe]

Some of the question askers were rather annoying.

[@rabidbigdog]

I'm sure you can get a refund for the price you paid for this presentation, plus some consideration for the time required to post your comment.