{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1580094"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1580094/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NR4039/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NR4039/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2023NR4039","copyright":"© Victoria & Albert Museum","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2023NR4040","copyright":"© Victoria & Albert Museum","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2023NR4041","copyright":"© Victoria & Albert Museum","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2023NR4042","copyright":"© Victoria & Albert Museum","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2024NR9761","copyright":"© Victoria & Albert Museum","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O1580094/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1580094","accessionNumber":"B.41-2022","objectType":"Computer","titles":[{"title":"BBC Microcomputer","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"The BBC Microcomputer, known as the BBC Micro, was a computing system which ran on BBC BASIC. It first released in December 1981 as part of the BBC’s Computer Literacy Project.\r\n\r\nThe Computer Literacy Project was launched alongside a BBC2 television series called ‘The Computer Programme’. This educational television series taught viewers about computer programming using BBC BASIC, which was a version of standard BASIC language. The Micro was developed as the BBC wanted a British electronic company to create a BASIC computer to accompany the TV show.\r\n\r\nThe contract was awarded to Acorn Computers, a Cambridge-based computing company founded in 1978. They had already produced a computer called the ‘Atom’, which had garnered them recognition. When they were approached by the BBC, Acorn were already in the process of developing a more advanced system called ‘Proton’, and the designers worked quickly to get it functioning. According to Acorn co-designer, Steve Furber, the Acorn team completed work on their prototype only three hours before the BBC arrived. Ultimately the ‘Proton’ was renamed the BBC Micro.\r\n\r\nAlthough it initially targeted home-users, the BBC Micro had its most significant impact in the educational market. It was used in about 60% of primary schools and 85% of secondary schools when it was launched. The TV series was in fact delayed for a month because demand to buy the Micro was so great, especially after the Department of Trade and Industry launched a ‘Micros in Schools’ scheme. \r\n\r\nThe Micro was accompanied by a pack of instructions which encouraged creative programming. Instructions include how to create a kaleidoscopic pattern, a sketch, write a poem, play computer games, as well as create music. While the Micro encouraged users to write their own programs, the accompanying cassette tape also contained 16 programs for users.","physicalDescription":"BBC Microcomputer with with accompanying BBC Computer Literacy Project instruction pack and programming cassette tape. Computer and accessories made of plastic, metal and electronic components.\r\n\r\nBBC Micrcomputer consists of a keyboard with black and red keys.\r\n\r\n'Welcome' is written in many colours on the black card front of the Welcome Pack. The Welcome Pack consists of a cassette tape and paper instructions. 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