Opening Night of Television

Baird developed his invention to produce an experimental television service using scanning discs to capture and display the images.

Excitement grew and the BBC received 'attacks' from the public demanding the launch of television, under the perception that the experiment was more progressed than it in fact was.

It recommended the older service be replaced with 'high definition', using a minimum of 240 lines. This larger screen would allow for a better viewing experience and more varied programming.

Cathode Ray Tubes were needed to present high definition images. Early models were long, so mounted vertically with a mirror to reflect the picture. Some exploded from pressure on the thin glass

The report recommended trialling two forms of television; the electro-mechanical, developed from Baird's original experiments, and a brand new all electrical system being developed by Marconi-EMI.

Isaac Shoenberg headed up the EMI Research Laboratories. He made the momentous decision of pursuing an even greater 405 line definition, gambling a huge investment on his well placed faith on his team

In order to generate maximum coverage for the television signal a mast needed to be constructed to 600ft above sea level.

Alexandra Palace sits on a hill, with an 80ft Victorian tower in place the BBC added a 220ft mast in order to transmit the television signal over London.

Former private dining rooms were taken out to form the new studio spaces. This room would become Studio B used by the Baird Company.

Studio B used the Intermediate Film Technique (IFT) a film camera mounted above developing tanks which rapidly developed the footage to be scanned for transmission.

The third process was this telecine machine which transmitted programmes shot on film, such as newsreels.

In contrast to the static IFT, the Marconi-EMI Emitron camera was lightweight and able to move around the studio. Three were installed in Studio A.

The mobile cameras allowed more flexibility for how to present programmes, with ability to move around the studio and cut more quickly between cameras.

Both systems were pushing the limits of technology and the BBC was concerned that they were 'over elaborate'. Test transmissions were made as the deadline for launch drew closer.

Helen McKay sang the title song, highlighting one issue with the picture image when her dress was considered too difficult to see and had to be adapted with the addition of a large corsage.

The flexible Emitron cameras allowed producer Cecil Madden to dramatically reveal the studio as the camera passed through a sequence of curtains.

Further tests experimented with programming and launched the popular show 'Picture Page' offering variety entertainments, with an eclectic mix of short acts, presented by Joan Miller.

EMI technician E.B White said of television: "We shall discover a new and unbearable disturbance of the modern peace, or a saving radiance in the sky. We shall stand or fall by television".

Leslie Mitchell presented from the Baird spotlight studio; a pitch dark room which scanned a light across the presenter's face from an adjoining scanner booth, to be picked up by two photocells.

The room was so dark that Leslie Mitchell had to memorise the opening announcement, introducing dignitaries who gave commemorative speeches.

After the formal speeches television was ready to launch with a variety programme, bringing popular entertainment live to mass audiences.

The BBC television service proved to be a roaring success. Marconi-EMI won the competition and the BBC continued to experiment with the new medium until the Second World War interrupted the service.

As the opening night closed, the revolution in entertainment and communication was begun. From a small studio at Alexandra Palace television has spread to every corner of the globe.