First Television Pictures1920s
This clip is from "Set Top Boxing Day" a theme night shown on BBC Choice in 1998From 1925 pictures of John Logie Baird
1930s - BBC Television Service
BBC Television Demonstration Film1936
The BBC Television Service began on 2nd November 1936. In 1925 John Logie Baird (pictured above) demonstrated the potential of a low powered scanning system, with the reluctant help of the BBC (whom he had an uneasy relationship) Baird pioneered television in Britain. In August 1932 the BBC began an experimental service using Baird's system, meanwhile his competitor EMI had joined forces with the Marconi Company and were making progress replacing mechanical scanning by electronic scanning using a cathode ray tube. Finally in 1937 Baird's system was dropped in favour of EMI-Marconi's electronic system.
This clip is from "Set Top Boxing Day" a theme night shown on BBC Choice in 1998
BBC Television Service1930s
** No video at present **
The day would start with this BBC Television Service testcard followed by the BBC's coat of arms as the identification symbol of the service
1950s - 1960s BBC Emblem - "Batwings"
BBC TV Emblem1953
** No Clip at present **
In 1953 the first BBC symbol was created for its television service. Nicknamed the 'Bat Wings' for obvious reasons, it was the corporation's first onscreen logo to replace the coat of arms. Designed by Abram Games, who was best known for his designing the emblem for The Festival of Britain and various war time posters.
BBC TV Clock1953
The clock to accompany Abram Games' Batwings ident. Note the inexplicably large second hand!Late 50s - 1960s - BBC tv
BBC TV1962
In its last few years as the sole BBC channel, BBC1's main station ident was a static caption featuring a map of Britain. One year before BBC2's launch, BBCtv adopted the globe emblem which would be the cornerstone of BBC identity for the next 39 years.
BBC TV Clock1958
The late 1950s saw a change of design for the BBC TV clock although the overly large second hand was still present.
BBC TV In-Vision Continuityc1960
In-vision continuity was the norm on BBCtv until the arrival of BBC1. The announcer here is Noelle MiddletonBBC Television becomes BBC1
BBC1 Symbol1963
In 1963 BBCtv is no more and the very first BBC1 globe ident is introduced.
BBC1 Clock1963
BBC1 Symbol1964
Following the launch of BBC2, BBCtv became BBC1 and the channel got its second globe. However, the ident was shortened to just "BBC" with no sign of the channel name.
BBC1 Symbol1966
This globe was known as the "watch-strap" for obvious reasons. It was also the first to include the BBC1 ID rather than just BBC. Followed by a look at the clock - the accompanying timepiece for the watch-strap era.
BBC1 Clock1966 Unfortunately no video yet, this is how the clock looked, the accompanying timepiece for the watch-strap era.
BBC1 Symbol1968
And there was one final change of globe before the move to colour. Gone was the watch strap in favour of this more simple design. No audio.