The BBC has launched three online exhibitions – 100 Objects, 100 Faces and 100 Voices – to mark its 100th birthday and tell the story of “a century of broadcasting”.
Unveiled by BBC History and available on the BBC 100 website, the collections explore some of Auntie Beeb’s most iconic objects, people and contributors over the last century. They will evolve throughout the BBC’s centenary year of 2022.
“The BBC has an amazing history which belongs to us all,” said Robert Seatter, the BBC’s head of history. “As we mark 100 years of our BBC, 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.”
100 Objects features the classic BBC microphone, as well as Mr Darcy’s shirt from Pride & Prejudice and Roy Plomley’s proposal letter for Desert Island Discs. It is curated in partnership with institutions including the Science Museum Group.
100 Objects for the BBC’s centenary year
100 Faces is a collection of 100 photographs from the BBC’s archive, planned alongside the Radio Times. It includes images of actors on set, monarchs addressing the nation and correspondents in the field.
100 Voices is an oral history collection featuring the stories of people who have worked at the BBC. It is curated in partnership with the University of Sussex, under Professor David Hendy.
In addition, the Science Museum Group will digitise 1,000 BBC objects for the first time for a major exhibition and events programme across the UK. Other museum partners will mark the centenary through collections and displays.
“We are delighted to be part of 2022’s BBC 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,” said Sir Ian Blatchford, director and chief executive of the Science Museum Group.
Images: BBC
