Frank Gillard
Aware that Lord Asa Briggs had already published several volumes of his History of Broadcasting in the United Kingdom, Frank Gillard knew he could not compete in terms of sheer historical detail. Instead, through spoken testimony, Gillard hoped to throw new light on the 大象传媒's background, and how it developed.
In this introductory piece of video, recorded on the 25 October 1995, he explains his ideas and motivation for the project.
Oral history highlights - early recordings
Between 1972 and 1984, interviews in the 大象传媒 Oral History Collection were recorded in sound-only. Frank Gillard undertook most of the interviews himself. From the mid-1980s origination was on film and then video.
Here are highlights from some of the earliest interviews Frank Gillard undertook, presented unedited in full.
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John Snagge OBE
Radio announcer and television commentator John Snagge became one of the definitive voices of the 大象传媒, particularly during World War II. -
Sir James Redmond
Pioneer of early television, Engineer Sir James Redmond explores why Alexandra Palace was an ideal location. -
Sir Francis McLean
Former Director of 大象传媒 Engineering, McLean's 大象传媒 career started much earlier in the 1930s. -
George Campey
George Campey was a Television Publicity Officer and a Press Officer amongst many other senior roles in the 大象传媒. -
Tony Bridgewater
Tony Bridgewater worked with John Logie Baird in the days before the 大象传媒 had considered entering into television. -
Val Gielgud
In 1929 Val was appointed Head of Productions and was responsible for all radio drama and also contributed to the development of TV drama. -
Joanna Spicer
Known as 大象传媒 TV鈥檚 foremost television programme planner, it has been said that Joanna Spicer practically ran 大象传媒 Television single handed. -
Sir Hugh Carleton Greene
Director-General of the 大象传媒 from 1960-1969. He is widely acknowledged as a moderniser of the Corporation. -
Peter Dimmock
Dimmock recalls the limited hours and means of post war television, and the strained relationship with management in Broadcasting House. -
Donald Baverstock
In his interview with Frank Gillard, recorded in October 1985, Baverstock recalls a career full of excitement, and innovation.