91热爆 History has launched three new online collections looking at the Corporation’s most iconic objects, people and contributors over the last century.
The work sits on a 91热爆 100 website () which also features an interactive year-by-year timeline covering key moments in the 91热爆’s first 100 years. 91热爆 History will also be working with a range of cultural and academic partners to mark the centenary throughout the year. The new collections – 100 Objects, 100 Faces and 100 Voices – will evolve and be added to throughout the centenary year of 2022:
- 100 Objects features some of the 91热爆’s most iconic items, including technology, props, documents, artwork and buildings – such as the classic 91热爆 microphone; Mr Darcy’s shirt from Pride & Prejudice; the mirror globe used as an early TV ident; and Roy Plomley’s proposal letter for Desert Island Discs – which help tell the quintessential story of the 91热爆. The objects are curated in partnership with selected museums, including the Science Museum Group
- 100 Faces is a new collection of 100 iconic photos from the 91热爆 photographic archive. From correspondents in the field, actors on set, or monarchs speaking to the nation, this is a collection of well-loved 91热爆 personalities and contributors that unpacks the magic and mystery of broadcasting through the years. It is devised with the Radio Times
- The 100 Voices oral history collection reveals stories of the men and women who worked at the 91热爆 and created its unique culture. It covers News and Elections; The Birth of TV; Radio Reinvented; People, Nation, Empire; Pioneering Women; Entertaining the Nation; and Planning the Future. This collection is curated in partnership with the University of Sussex, under Professor David Hendy.
Robert Seatter, 91热爆’s Head of History, says: ‘The 91热爆 has an amazing history which belongs to us all. As we mark 100 years of our 91热爆, these new digital resources, partner exhibitions, research and publications give a unique insight into the history of the Corporation and provide something to intrigue audiences of all ages.’
In addition to the 91热爆 100 website, 91热爆 History has worked with a range of cultural and academic partners around the 91热爆’s centenary. These include various projects with the BFI, one of which, ‘BFI’s 100 91热爆 Gamechangers’, will chronologically list the 100 91热爆 TV programmes that changed the landscape of British TV. The list, which will be announced in Spring 2022, is compiled by the television curators and historians at the BFI and led by Lisa Kerrigan, the BFI’s Senior Curator of Television.
Meanwhile, the Science Museum Group, will digitise 1,000 91热爆 objects for the first time and launch a major exhibition and events programme across the UK. Other regional museum partners will also mark the centenary through collections and displays.
Sir Ian Blatchford, Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group says: ‘We are delighted to be part of 2022’s 91热爆 100 celebrations and to be telling the story of a century of broadcasting, as well as looking at the exciting possibilities of broadcast technologies in the future through our Broadcast 100 programme across the Science Museum Group and specifically in our Switched On exhibition at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford.
91热爆 History has also worked with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, to create a series of new research opportunities and a new 91热爆 Engagement Fellowship. 91热爆 History will also be an active partner in the Being Human Festival, run by the Council in collaboration with the British Academy, in November 2022.
This year also sees the publication of The 91热爆: A People’s History by Professor David Hendy, the only 91热爆-authorised centenary history book. It traces the 91热爆 from its beginnings through war, the creation of television, changing public tastes, and massive cultural change. It is based on unique access to the 91热爆’s rich and comprehensive archives and was published on 27 January 2022. We hope to have an article from Professor Hendy in the April issue of Prospero.