BRADFORD's National Science and Media Museum has launched a major new exhibition that celebrates the last 100 years of broadcasting - and the innovations that have shaped everyday life.
Switched On takes visitors on a journey from the first radio microphones to the invention of colour television and the rise of on-demand video and streaming services.
The exhibition will examine the industry through 14 pioneers linked with broadcasting innovations who have forced the industry to adapt, improve and make room for more voices.
Visitors will learn about influential trailblazers like David Attenborough - who led the introduction of colour on BBC2 - or Delia Derbyshire, who created the Doctor Who theme tune in 1963, marking the first television tune made purely from electronic sound, among many others.
To celebrate the exhibition and the start of the summer holidays, a special family day will be taking place at the museum today (Saturday).
The event will mark major broadcasting milestones with family-friendly activities.
Visitors will be able to try their hand at being a camera operator or give broadcasting a radio programme a go.
Lewis Pollard, Curator of Television and Broadcast at the National Science and Media Museum, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be taking part in the celebrations of the BBC’s centenary and shining a spotlight on the significant pioneers who have influenced and shaped the industry, with our new exhibition Switched On.
“Our museum tells the stories of sound and image technologies and their impact on our lives, and many of our objects would not be possible without the achievements of broadcasters like the BBC and the trailblazers who have continued to push the boundaries over the last 100 years.”
Switched On is part of Broadcast 100, a bumper year of exhibitions, special displays, events and digital content across the Science Museum Group to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the BBC and the 40th anniversary of Channel 4.
The Science Museum Group has also digitised 1,000 new objects from the BBC Heritage Collection to continue to tell the stories of the broadcaster.
Featuring newly digitised objects, alongside archival images and films, the National Science and Media Museum has launched new online stories on its website.
These stories cover diverse topics from the history of broadcasting, including the history of children’s television, women in broadcasting, and the invention of television.
The Broadcast 100 programme is supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery.
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