November 1936 - April 1964
General Presentation [1]
Television arrived in Britain in 1926 with Logie-Baird successfully demonstrating a method of transmitting pictures. Experimental BBC broadcasts followed within a few years, using Baird's 30 line system. Baird continued to develop the system.
A high definition BBC Television Service finally launched in November 1936, broadcasting on the Baird 240 line system. However, this was soon to be superceded by the Marconi-EMI 405 line system; the BBC switched to the superior 405 line technology in February the following year.
A high definition BBC Television Service finally launched in November 1936, broadcasting on the Baird 240 line system. However, this was soon to be superceded by the Marconi-EMI 405 line system; the BBC switched to the superior 405 line technology in February the following year.
Above: Baird experimental tests.
Above: BBC Baird and Marconi tests [left and right].
1937 also saw the introduction of the first BBC tuning signal. This was used to assist viewers in adjusting the numerous controls on their TV sets to obtain the optimum signal. There were no idents or clocks; in-vision continuity was very much the order of the day back then and for many years to follow.
Television services were suspended from 1939 until 1946 due to the War.
Television services were suspended from 1939 until 1946 due to the War.
Above: one of the earliest and most basic BBC tuning signals - from c. 1937.
Above: another early tuning signal - possibly from around 1937/1938 [left]; a pre-war tuning signal [right].
Above: the TV service returned in June 1946 with this tuning signal [left]. A 1950s tuning signal [right].
Above: another early-1950s tuning signal. Although not obvious from this still, there's a frequency grating in the centre of the circle.
Above: leading up to 'Children's Television' at 5pm, a clock [left]; this one dates from the early-1950s.
Above: the 'Bat's Wing' identifier appears on this tuning signal, introduced on August 19 1955 [left]. However, on June 16 1956, it was replaced by the 'Angel's Wings' tuning signal [right].
In 1953, the first BBC Television 'symbol' appeared. The official definition of the symbol from the BBC:
"The abstract pattern consists of two intersecting eyes which scan the globe from north to south and east to west, symbolising vision and the power of vision. Flashes of lightening on either side represent electrical forces and the whole form takes the shape of wings which suggest the creative possibilities of television broadcasting."
It was designed by Abram Games FSIA.
"The abstract pattern consists of two intersecting eyes which scan the globe from north to south and east to west, symbolising vision and the power of vision. Flashes of lightening on either side represent electrical forces and the whole form takes the shape of wings which suggest the creative possibilities of television broadcasting."
It was designed by Abram Games FSIA.
Above: BBC TV ident [1953 - early-1960s]. The first BBC Television symbol, known as the 'Bat's Wings'. The ident was accompanied by soothing harp music; the flashes of lightning coincided with the notes on the harp.
Above: BBC TV clock [1953 - early-1960s].
Above: BBC TV clock [late-1950s]. This clock was used to introduce a news bulletin c. 1958. Does anyone know how long this design was in use and whether or not it replaced the Bat's Wings clock?
Above: the BBC English regions had their own versions of the 'Bat's Wings' design.
Above: other regional variants of the 'Bat's Wings'.
Above: BBC TV clock [1960]. In use for a short period during 1960.
Above: BBC TV ident [1962 - 1963]. The symbol shows the then seven BBC regions.
Above: BBC TV clock [1962 - 1963].
Above: BBC TV ident [1963 - 1964]. Here we see the first globe ident to be used on BBC TV. It was introduced on September 30 1963.
Above: BBC TV clock [1963 - 1964].
