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Reminiscences

Approximately in chronological order.

1. Early days of Designs Department, by Gordon Parker
   This article gives an excellent flavour of the pioneering work that was done to develop the BBC's television service.  It covers the distribution of 405 line television throughout the UK, the introduction of colour and the first electronic standards converter.  Gordon subsequently became Head of Designs Department.
    

2. 1944 - An eventful first year in Lines Department by David Savage
   A part of Designs Department was formed from a part of Lines Department.  This article illustrates life in Lines.  (Copied from the On Air web site).
    

3. First Steps in Designs Department, by David Savage
   David explains how, on returning to the BBC after National Service, he became involved with television transmission engineering.  As well as giving a view of life in the Department, this article highlights an important aspect of television engineering that is often overlooked.
    

4. Recollections of early link, cable and transmitter problems by John Shelley and David Savage

   Some practical problems encountered in the early days of television.
    

5. My First Steps into Designs Department, by Neale Davison
   A glimpse of the atmosphere in Designs Department from the perspective of a new recruit in 1966.
    
6. Memories of Designs Department from 1970 to 1985, by Martin Ellen
   I have written this article to get the ball rolling and encourage other people to contribute to the web site.  I'm not sure if I've got the style right so please let me know if it gives you cause for concern. 
    

7. My Career in Designs Department, by Richard Russell
   Richard's career in Designs Department included several high profile projects such as the BBC Microcomputer and the first fully-electronic Network Clock displayed on BBC1 and BBC2.  As a result, this article gives a very good illustration of the pioneering work done by engineers in the Department.
    

8. New Third time lucky – how I came to join Designs Department, by David Birt
   David gives an interesting perspective from the viewpoint of an accomplished engineer who joined DD fairly late in his career.  The article also has links to pages recalling fascinating aspects of his pre-BBC career.