The BBC Hand Book was first issued in 1928 and published until 1987 when it became annual reports. The contents comprise a review of the year’s programming, cultural and technical achievements.
A large number are free to download from this website providing a rich source of information for both media historians, those focussing on the technical development of radio and TV, and social historians as the adverts and programme content reflect attitudes towards women, children and social groups in society.
The 1928 handbook has a number of pages of advertising for early radios, accounts of the contents of public lectures and items of interest to those who study the role of women in society. For instance p.17 has a fascinating advert addressed to the women of Britain which informs them that it is their duty to make the home comfortable by purchasing a certain kind of light globe!
There are also accounts of the timing and content of programmes targeted at women.
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