Category Archives: Stories

BBC Cafeterias

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Alec Bray

Michael Du Boulay I recently came across this slice of history of menu and prices from BBC TVC cafeteria: circa 1965. Jim Kinally, Mike Jordan, Pat Heigham We got Luncheon Vouchers at TVC in the 1960s.  It was a Luncheon … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories, write up | Comments Off on BBC Cafeterias

Aspect Ratios

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Alec Bray

Background Some common aspect ratios 1.25:1 (5:4) Early television receivers and large-format computer monitors 1.33:1 (4:3) Traditional television (IO)  tubes and computer monitor standard     1.375:1 Academy standard film aspect ratio 1.41:1 Lichtenber Ratio √2:1 ~1.4142:1, ISO 216 paper … Continue reading →

Posted in write up | Comments Off on Aspect Ratios

Asbestos

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Alec Bray

Background A former BBC Engineer Appeals to ex-Colleagues after Mesothelioma diagnosis (from Jeanne Mallins) A former electrical engineer who worked for the BBC in London for more than 20 years is appealing to his former colleagues to come forward with … Continue reading →

Posted in write up | Comments Off on Asbestos

Acronyms (Backronyms and others …)

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Alec Bray

Background Whilst Roger Bunce was watching the recently rediscovered Doctor Who “Web of Fear” (a series that he worked on), he noticed that it began with the Tardis shot on a crazy slanting angle. He thought it was done using … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories, write up | Comments Off on Acronyms (Backronyms and others …)

A Lament for TVC

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Alec Bray

Background 20th September 2014 – London – Open House Final Visit to Television Centre – the world’s first purpose built TV studios. The studios are clustered around the famous circular central building, designed by Graham Dawbarn in 1960, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories, write up | Comments Off on A Lament for TVC

A whole Mole page from Alec Bray

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Bernard Newnham

During the time that I worked in BBC TV Technical Operations, there was one piece of equipment that had many, many more tales told about it than anything else – this was the Mole Richardson Crane, or Mole Crane as … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories | Comments Off on A whole Mole page from Alec Bray