First BBC Transmitter Donated to Science Museum

The first ever radio transmitter used for BBC broadcasts is to be donated to the Science Museum on the 80th anniversary of its first transmission.

The 2LO transmitter – named after the license issued by the Post Office radio-broadcasting license issued to Marconi - began transmitting on the evening of the 14 November 1922. The fledging BBC began its programming by announcing the Conservative Party general election victory. As more seminal BBC programmes‚ such as Children’s Hour‚ began broadcasting‚ the call sign '2LO Calling' became a household phrase.

The original 2LO transmitter‚ jointly owned by the BBC and Crown Castle International‚ has miraculously survived and will be donated to the Science Museum at a special BBC ceremony today. It will then be meticulously conserved by the Science Museum and‚ in future‚ be displayed to the public.

Lord Puttnam CBE‚ Trustee of the Science Museum said;
"The 2LO radio transmitter was there at the birth of the BBC in 1922 - it is truly an icon of our broadcasting history. Fortunately‚ it has survived and I am honoured to accept it on behalf of the Science Museum. It will be conserved by Science Museum experts with a view to put it on display for future generations to marvel at and learn from."

BBC Chairman Gavyn Davies said;
“Future generations should be able to share what is a fascinating piece of early 21st century technology. We also want them to understand its significance in the development of our broadcasting system‚ which is held up as a model for the world. So I can’t think of a more appropriate home for 2LO.”

Licensed by the Post Office the BBC began transmitting using nine sites throughout the UK. The 2LO transmitter designed by H.J. Round‚ and its accompanying studio was located in a top floor office of Marconi House on the Strand‚ Central London.

Famous 2LO ’firsts’ include:

· 1st broadcast of Armistice Day ceremony at Cenotaph.

· 1st broadcast by reigning monarch‚ King George V opening the British Empire exhibition at Wembley Exhibition.

· 1st election address by Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald as head of the country's first Labour government.

· Description of the Carpentier-Lewis fight and the King's speech at the opening of the British Empire Exhibition.

· 1st daily weather forecasts.

Built by the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company 2LO was replaced with a more powerful transmitter in 1925.