The 50s was the decade of television, with the televising of the Coronation the driving force behind a massive increase in sales of sets.
Radio was still very important, and early in the decade the world’s longest running radio soap opera was born - The Archers. BBC TV’s second big debut of the decade came in 1958 with the start of Blue Peter - still running to this day.
May 1950 - The Archers
The Archers is the world's longest running soap opera, and is set in and around the fictitious rural village of Ambridge.
It was first broadcast as a trial programme on the Midlands Home Service to promote good agricultural practice. The experiment ended on 2 June, and was then broadcast across the UK, becoming a national institution.
October 1950 - Democracy on TV
Live coverage of Parliament was first discussed as part of the Woolton Committee in 1944.
Described reports of the days proceedings were commonplace on national radio by 1949. An experiment to televise live debate from the Commons was considered successful, but the public could not see it. Regular live proceedings by TV were not broadcast until November 1989.
1952 - VERA - The British video recorder that never was
Vision Electronic Recording Apparatus –V.E.R.A., has been billed as the first video tape recorder - developed by the BBC, 1952-8.
In truth this was a myth that emerged because of the BBC's heavy promotion of the system, in spite of its obvious inferiority to rivals. The commercially successful American Ampex machine was used on air by ITV as early as May 1957.
June 1953 - The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
So today The Queen will ascend the steps of her throne... in the sight today of a great multitude of people.
For the first time ever a coronation moment was seen live!
This event transformed the history of television, boosting the sale of black and white television sets. Over 20 million people across Europe watched the event, with many people clustered around friends and neighbours' TV sets.
April 1958 - The Radiophonic Workshop is established
Based in the legendary Room 13 of Maida Vale studios it used an often bizarre mix of objects to create sounds.
The Radiophonic Workshop created uniquely memorable electronic sounds - such as the Doctor Who theme music - and became one of the most significant influences on 20th century electronic music.
October 1958 - Blue Peter starts its 50 year run
Running for more than 50 years and still going strong, Blue Peter has touched numerous generations of children.
With its intrepid presenters and characterful pets, its in studio 'makes' and charity appeals it genuinely engaged with younger viewers' lives and interests. Now the programme comes from new studios at Salford Quays, Manchester.
