This chapter presents the history of television in the United Kingdom, post 1914-18. It is essentially the history of John Logie Baird's work in this field, for until 1931 Baird had no effective competition from any individual or industrial research group in this country.

This chapter presents the company formation of the Baird Television Development Company.

This chapter presents the two demonstrations on wireless television transmission, one in which a line transmission circuit was used for a short transmitter-receiver distance in the BBC offices at Long Acre, and another which involved a radio link, on a wavelength of 200 m between the same building and the Engineers Club in Coventry Street.

On 30th September 1929, the BBC transmitted its first experimental television broadcast. 'A great day for Baird and all of us', wrote Moseley. The honour of opening the proceedings at 11.04 a.m. fell to Moseley who announced: 'Ladies and Gentlemen: You are about to witness the first official test of television in this country from the studio of the Baird Television Development Company and transmitted from 2LO, the London Station of the British Broadcasting Corporation'. Then followed a number of short messages from the Rt. Hon. William Graham, Sir Ambrose Fleming and Professor E.N. da C. Andrade. Graham took as his theme one which had been raised on a number of occasions previously by Hutchinson the establishment of a new industry which would provide employment for large numbers of our people, and would prove the prestige of British creative energy.

The Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company pioneered the development of wireless telegraphy in this country and so it was obvious that sooner or later they would turn their attention to television. They were cautious in their approach though, and asked one of their consultants, Sir Ambrose Fleming, to let them have a confidential report on the Baird television system. Fleming, who had given Baird much moral support and was President of the Television Society, submitted his report to the Company in February 1930.' He stressed that he was able to take a perfectly disinterested view of the system's possible future and present results, that he was in no way whatever connected with Baird's company, that he was not a shareholder and had never received any consideration for any professional report or retainer.

This chapter discusses the competition between the Baird Company and Electric and Musical Industries (EMI) to provide a television service to the BBC.

This chapter discusses the Television Committee which was responsible for the historic document on television published in January 1935, which described the plan for the establishment of the world's first high-definition, regular, public television broadcasting system. The committee had its origin at an informal conference, held by the General Post Office (GPO) on 5th April 1934, between representatives of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the GPO.

This chapter discusses the report of the Television Committee. High-definition television had reached such a standard of development as to justify the first steps being taken towards the early establishment of a public television service of this type. In view of the close relationship between sound and television broadcasting, the Committee suggested that the authority which was responsible for the former (namely, the BBC) should also be entrusted with the latter.

This chapter discusses the London Station's equipment provision. With the exhibition behind them, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Television Advisory Committee (TAC) could now turn their attention to the forthcoming public service.

Following the inauguration of the television service in November 1936, a wide variety of programmes were produced, both in the studios on the premises of the Alexandra Palace and in the surrounding park. The studio programmes included extracts from West End productions, revues, variety, ballet and illustrated talks and demonstrations, as well as a weekly magazine programme of topical interest called 'Picture Page'. From outside the studio came demonstrations of golf, riding, boxing and other sports. Because of the limited facilities for rehearsal, it was seldom possible, in the early days, to attempt original productions in the studio, but valuable experience was gained in methods of presentation over a very wide field. Transmissions were limited to two hours per day, excluding Sundays.