B.B.C. Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone, 1944-1959

B.B.C. Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone, 1944-1959 B.B.C. Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone, 1944-1959 B.B.C. Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone, 1944-1959 B.B.C. Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone, 1944-1959

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

B.B.C. Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone, inst. no. 498044, made by Marconi's Wireless Telegraphy Company Limited, Chelmsford, 1944-1959.

The AXBT microphone was the fourth generation of Marconi’s ‘Type A’ microphones. Used widely by the BBC from the 1930s onwards, the Type A came to symbolise the BBC. The development of the Type A followed from a similar ribbon microphone that was already in use in the United States, developed by the RCA Corporation. However, it was too expensive for the BBC to buy in the RCA microphones so as an alternative they worked with the Marconi company to develop their own example. There was some concern that the Type A had infringed patents for the RCA ribbon microphone, but these were overcome. The ribbon microphone was good in studio situations, and the AXBT featured improvements to the original designs that made the microphone very sensitive and especially good for use with voice.

Details

Category:
Radio Communication
Object Number:
1968-695
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Measurements:
microphone: 330 mm x 150 mm x 95 mm, 4.13 kg
box: 120 mm x 400 mm x 185 mm, 1.58 kg
type:
microphone
credit:
Donated by Dr Atkinson

Parts

BBC Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone

BBC Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone, inst. no. 498044, made by Marconi's Wireless Telegraphy Company Limited, Chelmsford, Essex, England, 1944-1959.

More

The AXBT microphone was the fourth generation of Marconi’s ‘Type A’ microphones. Used widely by the BBC from the 1930s onwards, the Type A came to symbolise the BBC. The development of the Type A followed from a similar ribbon microphone that was already in use in the United States, developed by the RCA Corporation. However, it was too expensive for the BBC to buy in the RCA microphones so as an alternative they worked with the Marconi company to develop their own example. There was some concern that the Type A had infringed patents for the RCA ribbon microphone, but these were overcome. The ribbon microphone was good in studio situations, and the AXBT featured improvements to the original designs that made the microphone very sensitive and especially good for use with voice.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
1968-695/1
type:
microphone
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
B.B.C. Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone case

B.B.C. Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone case

Case for B.B.C. Marconi AXBT ribbon microphone, inst. no. 498044, Marconi Company Limited, Chelmsford, 1944-1959

Measurements:
overall: 120 mm x 390 mm x 170 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
1968-695/2
type:
case
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem