On January 21st 2010 nearly 150 people attended this event, organised by the RTS Southern Centre, and thrown open also to members of the IET N. Hampshire branch. Titled "The Dream Team That Invented Practical Television" and presented by Norman Green, the presentation described the pioneering work carried out by EMI in the field of broadcast TV engineering. This was a former IET John Logie Baird Memorial Lecture, given in 2005. However, new material was also included.
Norman started with EMI Research Labs himself in 1956, and went on to a distinguished career at the cutting edge of broadcast technology, and was well known to many in the room.
Norman traced EMI’s contribution from their founding in 1931 right through to their eventual withdrawal from the market in 1978. The "Dream Team" referred to in the title was the exceptional team of engineers and scientists assembled in this endeavour. They, as well as inventing TV as we know it, created many of the circuit design techniques still in use in electronics today.
Norman described how at the start of their work, mechanical scanning with 30 lines was the norm, but by 1935 EMI had developed a fully electronic system of 405 lines, ready to be trialled alternately with the mechanical system by the BBC. This led to the adoption of the EMI 405-line system and the inauguration of the world’s first "high definition" regular TV service in 1936 by the BBC. Norman went on to describe how during WW2 when TV was suspended, work continued on military projects. After the war, the resumption of TV broadcasting led to many new advances, including colour. Applications within the industrial and medical fields were also covered.
The presentation was an audio-visual feast, with over 300 slides and many video clips. The clips were timed and cued in with the slides, making for a very polished and professional show. Many of the clips showed the preparations for the opening of the BBC’s first TV production and transmission facility at Alexandra Palace. This included the building of the iconic mast, which was to feature on the opening titles of so many newsreel items. Also, a fascinating insight into the making of programmes of the time, including "Picture Page".
In addition to the presentation, a working EMI 2001 colour camera from the 1970’s was on display, kindly provided by Paul Stripp.
The success of the evening was due to Norman’s exceptional speaking style, together with his enthusiasm and encyclopaedic knowledge. The dedication he had put in to assembling the various slides and clips was also apparent. The venue complemented the event perfectly, Crawley Court having been the IBA’s headquarters, and home to many new technical developments of it’s own.
Thanks are due to Norman for a wonderful nostalgic evening, which also led to many reunions with old friends and colleagues. Thanks also to Arqiva for making the venue, with its superb audio-visual facilities, available. Also to the many people who contributed to the event, special mention going to Bruce Randall and Brian Cuff.
Peter Wright