Image: Broadcasting House in central London prepares for its special Election Night outside broadcast in May 2015.
The BBC pioneered the broadcasting of General Elections, first on radio and then on television. Despite resistance from some quarters, how did the BBC bring the mysterious world of Parliament and politicians into homes across the nation, and what does the future hold?
This Elections and Political Broadcasting collection examines first hand testimony from the radio and television pioneers who brought the excitement of election night to our screens and developed the interview and presentation styles that we are all familiar with today.
Curated by Emeritus Professor David Hendy and Dr Alban Webb, University of Sussex.
Invention: 1922-1950
Tuning into the General Election results has become a national democratic tradition, but one that was very much a 20th century invention.
Invention: 1951-1959
The popularisation of television makes its mark on election night.
Invention: Into the future
How politicians realised their television image could make or break their campaigns.
Party Political Broadcasts
First heard on radio in 1924, how have these broadcasts evolved and influenced the public's perception of politicians?
