The Open University - Mechanical1971-1981
This is the one! The Open University shield in its original, generic form dominated weekends until 1984. Originally the form-up was mechanical, as seen here, but was computerised around 1982. And that fanfare? It was the first five bars of Divertimento for Three Trumpets and Three Trombones, composed by Leonard Salzedo.
The Open University1980
A few tv related things probably scared us as a kid. The Yorkshire Television chevron at the start of 3-2-1, the Southern TV ident and this, the Open University symbol. This clip leads us into "Social Work, Community Work and Society".
The Open University - CGI1982
Spot the difference...the animation might look the same, but it is now generated electronically from solid state equipment, part of the computerisation of BBC presentation that rolled out from 1980. If you look closely you might be able to see the circle is larger and closer to the edge of the shield.
OU Start-up1982
Usually there'd be a two-minute startup before OU transmissions began. Here's a typical example from 1982, complete with clock and announcement for the first programme.
The Open University - BBC11985
Left Clip - Another startup for the technical course, "Telecommunication Systems"
Right Clip - A closedown from the OU, where the symbol reverses and disappears.
BBC2 Open University Follows Shortly1984
Oh goody! Vivaldi for 9 minutes while BBC2 hands over to the OU. This clip doesnt contain 9 minutes of Vivaldi though, just the still for the OU!
(The Rock Around The Clock credits you see briefly at the start was from a music marathon broadcast from studio S1 in the basement of Broadcasting House in London, which featured New Order and was simulcast on Radio 3 FM as Radio 1 was still on MW. The Broadcasting House technicians were not happy about recording band sessions, unlike the crew at Maida Vale who were used to doing so, and this caused tempers to fray between them and New Order, causing Bernard Sumner, New Orders lead singer, to introduce their final song, "Temptaion", as "An atmospheric song to get out of an unatmospheric place")
The Open University - BBC21984 / 1986
Left Clip - A trail for "The Greeks Have A Word For It" about the possible demise of Greek village life, and then a word about Radio 4's programme "Rollercoaster", about a poetry writing contest between a poet widely tipped to be the new Poet Lauriet, a lyracist and a computer. Then onto that OU ident with the very author.
Right Clip - The OU ident as used on BBC2. Programmes start in 2 minutes, in the mean time, heres some music...
The Open University1991
From the 16th February 1991, this is how the new look BBC1 was unveiled... together with a new look Open University for BBC1 & BBC2.
The Open University2000
The final OU ident from 2000. Shown only at weekends, the blue and yellow colours are reminiscent of the classic 1970s symbol. A widescreen version was occasionally seen.
The Open University Promo2002
No longer is the OU for geeks and strange men with beards. A fresh outlook on the OU, complete with bizarre trail.
