Telephone, The: Birth of a Technology

Synopsis

Traces the development of telecommunications from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century showing that it did not just ‘happen’ but was pushed and moulded by many interest groups (including government) in much the same way as information technology is developing today. The programme is introduced by Ruth Finnegan from British Telecom’s Technology Showcase, a telecommunications museum. Uses exhibits, still photographs and animation to explain the operation of early telegraph and telephone systems and to show uses to which they were put. Concludes with an excerpt from a film made in 1937 by J B Priestley entitled WE LIVE IN TWO WORLDS, in which he prophesied the coming of a new communications age.

Series

Introduction to Information Technology, An: Social and Technological Issues, Course Dt200

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.

Year of production

1986

Availability

OUT OF DISTRIBUTION

Subjects

Information technology

Keywords

telecommunications; telephones

Credits

Producer

John Stratford

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk