Retro Tech
156 videos • 93,439 views • by BBC Archive
The history of technology - including the earliest prototypes of the gadgets you love today, ambitious failures, crazy concepts and the tragically obsolete.
1
1981: Inventor CLIVE SINCLAIR on the ZX80 and TV80 | Pacesetters | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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2
1994: Are YOU Ready for the INTERNET? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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3
1961: How TELEVISION Works | Science and Life | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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4
1972: EVOLUTION of MICROPHONES at the BBC | Nationwide | Making Of | BBC Archive
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5
1958: Introducing VERA - Britain's First Videotape Recorder | Panorama | Retro Tech I BBC Archive
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6
1949: BOAT RACE to be TELEVISED in full | Newsreel | Classic Sport | BBC Archive
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7
1971: FIBRE OPTICS - light's bright future? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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8
1967: CARL SAGAN on the search for INTELLIGENT LIFE | Where Is Everybody? | BBC Archive
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9
2006: Will MYSPACE Transform the Music Industry? | BBC Breakfast | Past Predictions | BBC Archive
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10
2000: The COOLEST New AUDIO Kit | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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11
1983: PAUL DANIELS' Computer Game | Micro Live | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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12
1975: KRAFTWERK - Music of the FUTURE? | Tomorrow's World | Classic BBC Music | BBC Archive
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13
1992: What is a COMPUTER VIRUS? | Newsround | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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14
1971: The CAR that runs on CHICKEN POO | Nationwide | Retro Transport | BBC Archive
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15
1987: How to EDIT home movies on VHS | Video Active | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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16
1966: The latest ELECTRIC CARS | BBC News | Retro Transport | BBC Archive
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17
1981: KENNETH WILLIAMS and his THERMOELECTRIC Watch | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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18
1972: How to commit COMPUTER FRAUD - 70s style | Tomorrow’s World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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19
1985: MARK WOOD on the Roland GR-700 GUITAR SYNTH | Micro Live | Classic BBC Music | BBC Archive
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20
1986: MIDI and the MUSICAL MICROS | Micro Live | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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21
1964: The gamble of CONCORDE | Supersonic | Retro Transport | BBC Archive
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22
1986: The Joy of E-MAIL | Micro Live | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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23
1970: How the FIRST EVER TV play was made in 1930 | Review | Making Of... | BBC Archive
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24
1968: Inside the APOLLO COMMAND MODULE | Tomorrow’s World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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25
1970: WENDY CARLOS and her MOOG SYNTHESISER | Music Now | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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26
1979: Will WORD PROCESSORS start a HOME WORKING revolution? | Past Predictions | BBC Archive
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27
1959: Children visit the SCIENCE MUSEUM | BBC News | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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28
1982: BEHOLD the TOUCHSCREEN | Tomorrow’s World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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29
1987: SMART TRAINERS | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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30
1984: BILL BRUFORD on the SIMMONS ELECTRONIC DRUM KIT | Micro Live | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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31
1990: NINTENDO and the JAPANESE SOFTWARE boom | The Money Programme | Retro Computing | BBC Archive
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32
1981: SID the ROBOT's EPIC FAILS | Tomorrow’s World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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33
1958: Are YOU ready for STEREO SOUND? | BBC News | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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34
1980: VIDEO DISCS - the future of HOME ENTERTAINMENT? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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35
1971: DRIVERLESS CARS and the FUTURE OF MOTORING | BBC News | Retro Transport | BBC Archive
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36
1984: ELIZABETH PARKER at the RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP | General Studies | Retro Music | BBC Archive
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37
1977: CEEFAX - The Dawn of INTERACTIVE TV | Pebble Mill | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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38
1986: COMPACT DISCS - The future of CAR NAVIGATION? | Top Gear | Retro Transport | BBC Archive
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39
1966: COMPUTER DATING - 1960s style | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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40
1986: FRED HARRIS talks about your BITS | Micro Live | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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41
1973: DAVE EDMUNDS at ROCKFIELD STUDIOS | Nationwide | Classic BBC Music | BBC Archive
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42
1971: The PAINSTAKING art of RECORD RESTORATION | Tomorrow's World | BBC Archive
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43
1967: Incredible DRIP-DRY SUIT | Tomorrow’s World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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44
1970: PERFECT ACOUSTICS with JAMES BURKE | Tomorrow's World | BBC Archive
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45
1978: Uncanny HOME-MADE IRISH SUBMARINE | Nationwide | Classic BBC Clips | BBC Archive
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46
1982: Peter Howell gives the DOCTOR WHO THEME an 80s REMIX | Making of | BBC Archive
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47
1983: Will a CD covered in HONEY and COFFEE work? | Breakfast Time | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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48
1987: You can PLAY GAMES WITH A ROBOT | Tomorrow's World | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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49
How SCHOOL COMPUTER classes looked in 1969 | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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50
1993: Original MORTAL KOMBAT review with Will Self | The Late Show | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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51
1986: The first VIDEO PHONE call made in Britain | Tomorrow’s World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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52
1965: How DELIA DERBYSHIRE made the DOCTOR WHO theme I Tomorrow's World I Music I BBC Archive
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53
2010: Apple launch the iPad - Is it a game changer? | Newsnight | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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54
1995: WINDOWS 95 launch - is Microsoft too big? | Newsnight | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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55
1966: ROBOT HOUSEKEEPERS Coming Soon | Tomorrow's World | Past Predictions | BBC Archive
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56
1985: "Is it a car, or a toy?" SINCLAIR C5 Review | Top Gear | Retro Transport | BBC Archive
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57
1985: Introducing the AMIGA | Micro Live | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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58
1971: Is this the CAR of the FUTURE? | Tomorrow’s World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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59
1976: Introducing the incredible, cordless 'MOBILE' phone | Blue Peter | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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60
Sat nav - without a satellite - in 1971? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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61
1985: The WEATHER Goes ELECTRIC | Blue Peter | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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62
1975: CEEFAX - A Communications REVOLUTION? | This Is Ceefax | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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63
1957: TV Comes to the SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS | Behind the Headlines | Voice of the People | BBC Archive
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64
1970: John NOAKES and the Magic of BLUE SCREEN | Blue Peter | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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65
2001: CAMERAS... on PHONES? | BBC News | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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66
1989: ONLINE DARTS with BOBBY GEORGE | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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67
1985: Making TEXT ADVENTURE Games | Micro Live | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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68
1983: The COMPACT DISC and EMI | Newsnight | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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69
1995 : BLUE PETER discovers the INTERNET | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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70
1997: What is a TAMAGOTCHI? | Working Lunch | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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71
1973: Can MUSIC TECH Make MICHAEL RODD a Star? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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72
1998: Will MP3 Make PHYSICAL MEDIA Obsolete? | Inside Tracks | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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73
1980: BRITISH TECH and the MICROPROCESSOR Revolution | Nationwide | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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74
1968: Introducing the GLASS CAR | BBC News | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive
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75
2009: Is 3D the Future of CINEMA Again? | Newsnight | Predicting the Future | BBC Archive
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76
1980: VIDEO GAMES Invade the AMUSEMENT Industry | Nationwide | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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77
1969: The OFFICE of TOMORROW | Tomorrow's World | Past Predictions | BBC Archive
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78
1969: Was the MOON LANDING Worth the Money? | Panorama | BBC Archive
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79
1963: Britain's HOME MADE Spacecraft Simulator | Tonight | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive
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80
1990: Welcome to VIRTUAL REALITY | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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81
1969: A SCEPTIC's View of the SPACE RACE | Cameron Country | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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82
1987: PREDICTING the Person of the FUTURE | Tomorrow's World | Past Predictions | BBC Archive
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83
1970: METAL DETECTING - Easy Money? | Nationwide | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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84
1962: Are HUMANOID MACHINES Imminent? | Machines Like Men | Past Predictions | BBC Archive
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85
1980: The Sound of the FUTURE! With the Fairlight CMI | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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86
1969: BEHOLD The HYDRAULIC ROCK SPLITTER | Tomorrow’s World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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87
1964: Will TV Ruin Life on SHETLAND? | Tonight | Past Predictions | BBC Archive
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88
1984: Are The Top COMPUTER GAMES Good? | Saturday Superstore | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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89
1982: Is this CASSETTE the FUTURE of Hi-Fi Tech? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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90
1968: The RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP make the SOUNDS OF A SPACESHIP | Tom Tom | Retro Music | BBC Archive
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91
1969: What Is ELECTRONIC MUSIC? | Workshop | Radiophonic Workshop | BBC Archive
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92
1976: ROGER LIMB Sculpting ELECTRONIC Sound | An ABC Of Music | Radiophonic Workshop | BBC Archive
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93
1979: The RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP at 21 | Nationwide | Radiophonic Workshop | BBC Archive
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94
1988: A Week in the Life of the RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP | The Electric Music Machine | BBC Archive
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95
1984: The TECH Helping the RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP Keep Pace | Breakfast Time | BBC Archive
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96
1983: The EVOLUTION of the RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP | Nationwide | Radiophonic Workshop | BBC Archive
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97
1969: The LOGICAL BASSOON - The ULTIMATE Bassoon? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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98
1993: Will a COMPUTER Defeat GARRY KASPAROV? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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99
1968: BEHIND THE SCENES in BBC STUDIO ONE | Blue Peter | Classic Children's TV | BBC Archive
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100
1980: COIN-OPs Through The Ages | Nationwide | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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101
1983: Can AI Teach us About OURSELVES? | States of Mind | Science and Nature | BBC Archive
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102
1986: COMPUTER GAMES - More Than Just SHOOT-EM-UPs? | Micro Live | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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103
1976: JOHN NOAKES rides a BBC TV CITROËN DS SAFARI | Blue Peter | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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104
1970: How CONCORDE's Supersonic FUEL SYSTEM Works | Tomorrow's World | Retro Transport | BBC Archive
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105
1976: MUSICIANS BEHOLD! The KALEIDOPHON! | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive
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106
1967: The SELF-DRIVING CAR of TOMORROW! | Tomorrow’s World | Retro Transport | BBC Archive
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107
1967: How Effective are EAR DEFENDERS? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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108
1970: Making a BANG with ANTIQUES! | Collector’s World | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive
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109
1990: INTERACTIVE CHESS on Your TELEVISION! | Your Move | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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110
1977: SPIROGRAPH inventor at work on his NEW CREATION! | Tomorrow’s World | Science | BBC Archive
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111
1968: FARMER becomes WILDLIFE AUDIO MAESTRO | The Lone Listener | Science & Nature | BBC Archive
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112
1983: SALESWOMEN setting the WORLD to RIGHTS | A Moment to Talk | Voice of the People | BBC Archive
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113
1980: Hyper-Realistic COMPUTER FOOTBALL | Tomorrow's World | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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114
1990: The IDEA behind the DESIGN of THE WALKMAN! | Design Classics | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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115
1972: Victorian Dentistry | Nationwide | World of Work | BBC Archive
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116
1982: The PERILS of COUNTERFEIT Video Tapes | Inside Information | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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117
1969: Introducing the MOOG SYNTHESISER | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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118
1963: The Electronic Brain | Tonight | BBC Archive
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119
1988: The FUTURE of ELECTRONIC ORGANISATION |Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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120
1980: The SPUD SORTER | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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121
1983: DOWNLOADING Software Via RADIO and CEEFAX | Micro Live | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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122
1983: Video wars - BETAMAX versus VHS | The Money Programme | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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123
1997: Prolific INVENTOR SINGS about his UPS and DOWNS | Blue Peter | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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124
1979: BEHOLD! The LASER-OPERATED Future of SHOPPING | Nationwide | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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125
1983: The BBC is HACKED Live On Air | Micro Live | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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126
1997: TIM BERNERS-LEE warns the WEB could DIVIDE US | HARDtalk | Past Predictions | BBC Archive
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127
1951: Building the HOLME MOSS TRANSMITTER | Newsreel | Making of... | BBC Archive
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128
1969: New AMBULANCE put to the Test | Tomorrow's World | Retro Transport | BBC Archive
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129
1975: Teeny TINY TANKS | Nationwide | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive
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130
1966: The MECHANISATION of the POST OFFICE | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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131
1981: Presenting the STACEY 69 technical CAMERA | Nationwide | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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132
1976: Mr Buckle’s BRINY ENGINE | Nationwide | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive
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133
1961: WHAT CAN your HEARING SEE? | Tonight | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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134
1987: The SCHOOL that monitored CHERNOBYL | Take Nobody's Word For It | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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135
1965: LEARNING MACHINES are CHANGING EDUCATION | News | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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136
1983: Meet the COMPUTER ADDICTS | Newsnight | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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137
1975: GRAMOPHONE COLLECTOR with 13,000 RECORDS | Nationwide | Classic Music | BBC Archive
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138
1972: Can a FORGER FOOL this MACHINE? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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139
1968: Is this the FUTURE of TELEVISION? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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140
1969: Belfast's life-saving CARDIAC AMBULANCE | Man Alive | Science and Nature | BBC Archive
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141
1991: Are VIDEO GAMES a Risk to Children? | Gloria Live | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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142
1962: The TELEVISION SET You Can WEAR | Tonight | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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143
1976: FLYING PLANES that WEIGH LESS than a FEATHER | Nationwide | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive
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144
1980: Reg's REVOLVING OBSERVATORY | The 60 70 80 Show | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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145
1973: DJ DAVID v GOLIATH | Nationwide | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive
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146
1975: ART or the CHARTS? | Nationwide | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive
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147
1964: The GUNS of JAMES BOND | Time Out | Making of... | BBC Archive
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148
1962: Cower in FEAR - The LASER is Here! | Tonight | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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149
1982: The Future of COMPUTER STORAGE | The Computer Programme | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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150
1979: How to LAND ON THE MOON | Project Apollo | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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151
2000: Can XBOX Dethrone PLAYSTATION? | The Money Programme | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
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152
1992: The TURING TEST and a WHIMSICAL CONVERSATION | Horizon | Science and Nature | BBC Archive
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153
2002: COMPUTER KEYBOARDs of the FUTURE | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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154
2007: What's the point of FACEBOOK? | BBC Breakfast | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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155
1999: The INTERNET and the MUSIC INDUSTRY | Newsnight | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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156
1954: New RIFLES for the ARMY | Newsreel | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
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