BBC B Microcomputer - Computerphile

The BBC Microcomputer was one of the first home computers. Physicist Richard Hill explains how it inspired him.

This video was filmed and edited by Brady Haran.

[bluefirexde]

This channel is about ALL of computing and old machines are part of that because they really started it all. These kinds of videos are necessary to explain the evolution of computers and modern technology. It's not about "Hey look I have so much more experience than you". It's about showing history that led us to today.

[Nelobb]

I have flashbacks of playing Repton on the BBC, that series kicked ass!

[nadskofhqwak]

dude please dont give up on this channel. ive been telling all my computer friends about it

[Spinal]

Thanks for this video! This was the computer I learned programming on as well (late 1980's). Mine had a tape recorder attached that you could use to load/save programs. Spend so much time on that thing, this brings back fond memories, so thanks :)

[DannyStaple]

Those sounds invoke many fond memories - startup noises, a keyboard with that sound to it. That tattered book with the rockets too... 

[matthewiles]

I had that computer and that exact same computer book when I was a kid. It's weird to think that my smartphone is a hell of a lot more powerful than the BBC Micro I had. I think that we got our BBC Micro in the early 1980s when I was about 4 or 5 years old. This video brought back so many great memories. I found it amazing how much professional programmers could programme on a computer with only 32k memory. My favourite computer game was the Repton series by Superior Software and Tim Tyler who was only 15 at the time of writing Repton 1. I play the Repton games on my iPad now. Thank you very much for sharing this video. It brought back so many happy memories of my childhood.

[bobochimp]

Another great video, nice little history of the BBC which was my first computer and i treasured that manual, still have a working one in the loft, but its not my childhood one.

[Computerphile]

Don't be sad, we're new...

But you can help by sharing it with more friends!

>Brady

[RicardoDelfinGarcia]

The channel is getting better and better!

[alecjohnson]

He's clearly so nostalgic and happy doing this. It's adorable!

[ramdor]

if only we could turn back time, those years were so exciting, these days it is ever so complicated. Don't throw it away Richard... I am about to find out what capacitors I need to swap out in my beeb's psu. atb Richie.

[nubakos]

Great episode! Mr. Hill seems really excited, almost loving about the computer. I don't believe taking the manual to bed was "sad" - programming gives you the same practical enjoyment as any other hobby out there.

[retrobeastgames]

This was the micro computer that go me into computing, i was mesmerised with this computer when i was a kid at school, loved playing chunky egg, and the text adventures, and ELITE was mind blowing, so later on i got a Vic 20, so i had my own computer at home, i got obsessed with commodore and Sinclair, i also had a C16, C64, ZX Spectrum 48k, computers became a regular Christmas present.
Thank for the video, i have lots of nostalgia for this computer :o)

[MrNuclearturkey]

you know whats makes this channel great, george, wouldnt be the same without him

[kuldeepgoswami]

Was looking for exactly this kind of things in this channel, too good!

[StoneJustStone]

I'm saddened to see that this video get's so few views because I really love it. I think it's because that most of your subscribers would like to program themselves so if you could maybe "guide" us in a sense, I think most would be very satisfied!

[Computerphile]

thanks for sharing your views.
>Brady

[Robinsonero]

This a heart warming, seeing that book almost brings a tear.

[yourfilmindustry]

wow... seeing this really makes me feel happy, because i am a programmer, and it's nice to look at history of this stuf

[GeisslerGolding]

Thanks for sharing Richard! I got my first computer in 1983 (Apple IIe) and also never threw out the first programming book that I got with it. I did not know about the BBC Micro until now! Also very much looking forward to the "Elite" video Brady! That was a fantastic game and still to this day a stunning example of what could be done with minimal hardware and graphics - really amazing how the behavior of ships seemed so 'real' and space so enormous! Still fun in an emulator!