Ron Sandell

Seventy Years Before The Masts - a background activity within BBC research is by Ron Sandell

A fascinating and personal account of the role of the backroom engineers at the BBC within the context of scientific discoveries, the development of the whole concept of public communications and in one of the most amazing and significant developments of the 20th century. 

Early in the Twentieth Century a world-wide revolution began. The ability to communicate over great distances using a wireless system meant that within a few years one man or woman could speak to millions. Broadcasting was to open ears, eyes and minds, but it had a slow start. It emerged from the work of many scientists and engineers, some of whom had devoted their lives to transform ideas into reality. 

Marconi had arrived in Britain in 1896 to stimulate the growth of wireless systems, but it was not until 1922 that arrangements for a national broadcasting service were agreed. The British Broadcasting Company was formed, and within two years twenty transmitting stations were providing a service to 70% of the population. The Company, soon to be a Corporation, was employing just over 100 engineers, of whom fewer than half a dozen or so were concerned with planning the coverage – the areas served by the transmitters.

Eventually a section within BBC Research Department was set up for that purpose. At any one time, it contained between four and fifty staff, the total dependent upon the work load. Over a period of 70 years, about 100 people were to spend some part of their BBC career within this team. 

Ron Sandell joined them in 1954, and found the work so compulsive and varied that he remained for the next 37 years. 

The text of this book is based upon Ron’s personal archives, diaries etc. garnered by two previous leaders of the Section, Robert Arthur Rowden and himself. Occasionally, the story dips into the scientific and engineering aspects, because some explanation is needed to follow the plot. Mostly it is a fascinating account of scientific discoveries, the development of the whole concept of public communications and the role of the backroom engineers in one of the most amazing and significant developments of the 20th century.