BBC Microcomputer thumbnail 1
BBC Microcomputer thumbnail 2
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BBC Microcomputer

Computer
1981
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The BBC Microcomputer, known as the BBC Micro, was a computing system which ran on BBC BASIC. It first released in December 1981 as part of the BBC’s Computer Literacy Project.

The Computer Literacy Project was launched alongside a BBC2 television series called ‘The Computer Programme’. This educational television series taught viewers about computer programming using BBC BASIC, which was a version of standard BASIC language. The Micro was developed as the BBC wanted a British electronic company to create a BASIC computer to accompany the TV show.

The contract was awarded to Acorn Computers, a Cambridge-based computing company founded in 1978. They had already produced a computer called the ‘Atom’, which had garnered them recognition. When they were approached by the BBC, Acorn were already in the process of developing a more advanced system called ‘Proton’, and the designers worked quickly to get it functioning. According to Acorn co-designer, Steve Furber, the Acorn team completed work on their prototype only three hours before the BBC arrived. Ultimately the ‘Proton’ was renamed the BBC Micro.

Although it initially targeted home-users, the BBC Micro had its most significant impact in the educational market. It was used in about 60% of primary schools and 85% of secondary schools when it was launched. The TV series was in fact delayed for a month because demand to buy the Micro was so great, especially after the Department of Trade and Industry launched a ‘Micros in Schools’ scheme.

The Micro was accompanied by a pack of instructions which encouraged creative programming. Instructions include how to create a kaleidoscopic pattern, a sketch, write a poem, play computer games, as well as create music. While the Micro encouraged users to write their own programs, the accompanying cassette tape also contained 16 programs for users.

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read A history of digital design: Part 2 – Expanding worlds Vast in scope – referring to both design processes and products for which digital technology is an essential element – broad in geography and highly complex, digital design has proved hard to define since its first beginnings in the 1960s.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Computer
  • Cassette
  • Booklet
  • Packaging
TitleBBC Microcomputer (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Brief description
BBC Microcomputer, with a cassette; plastic, metal
Physical description
BBC Microcomputer with with accompanying BBC Computer Literacy Project instruction pack and programming cassette tape. Computer and accessories made of plastic, metal and electronic components.

BBC Micrcomputer consists of a keyboard with black and red keys.

'Welcome' is written in many colours on the black card front of the Welcome Pack. The Welcome Pack consists of a cassette tape and paper instructions.
Production typeMass produced
Summary
The BBC Microcomputer, known as the BBC Micro, was a computing system which ran on BBC BASIC. It first released in December 1981 as part of the BBC’s Computer Literacy Project.

The Computer Literacy Project was launched alongside a BBC2 television series called ‘The Computer Programme’. This educational television series taught viewers about computer programming using BBC BASIC, which was a version of standard BASIC language. The Micro was developed as the BBC wanted a British electronic company to create a BASIC computer to accompany the TV show.

The contract was awarded to Acorn Computers, a Cambridge-based computing company founded in 1978. They had already produced a computer called the ‘Atom’, which had garnered them recognition. When they were approached by the BBC, Acorn were already in the process of developing a more advanced system called ‘Proton’, and the designers worked quickly to get it functioning. According to Acorn co-designer, Steve Furber, the Acorn team completed work on their prototype only three hours before the BBC arrived. Ultimately the ‘Proton’ was renamed the BBC Micro.

Although it initially targeted home-users, the BBC Micro had its most significant impact in the educational market. It was used in about 60% of primary schools and 85% of secondary schools when it was launched. The TV series was in fact delayed for a month because demand to buy the Micro was so great, especially after the Department of Trade and Industry launched a ‘Micros in Schools’ scheme.

The Micro was accompanied by a pack of instructions which encouraged creative programming. Instructions include how to create a kaleidoscopic pattern, a sketch, write a poem, play computer games, as well as create music. While the Micro encouraged users to write their own programs, the accompanying cassette tape also contained 16 programs for users.
Collection
Accession number
B.41-2022

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2021
Record URL
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