London 2012 Paralympics

As the London 2012 Paralympics draw to a close we can look back on a fortnight full of excitement and not a little controversy. Over 160 nations have taken part in a Games which have challenged current perceptions of what it means to be disabled. Indeed Channel 4, official broadcaster for the Games, has branded the Paralympians “Superhuman” in an advertising campaign that forces us to reassess our mindset on Paralympian sport.

The Paralympic Movement was born at Stoke Mandeville hospital where athletic events were held for British WW2 veterans following the London 1948 Olympics. Taking a look at an early news report from ITV shot at Stoke Mandeville in 1956 it is clear that it was already becoming an international event.

Paralympics at Stoke Mandeville 1956

Paralympics at Stoke Mandeville 1956: ITV News 28-07-1956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1984 the Games returned to Stoke Mandeville unexpectedly. The original American hosts (University of Illinois ) pulled out due to financial problems and Stoke Mandeville agreed to co-host the Games together with New York. They had only 4 months notice to organise the event.

World Wheelchair Games

Prince Charles opens the Seventh Paralympic Games held at Stoke Mandeville: ITV News 22-07-1984

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Britain has produced many inspirational paralympic athletes, of whom perhaps the most famous is Baroness Grey-Thompson; better known simply as ‘ Tanni’. During her careeer she won 16 Paralympic medals for wheelchair racing events, of which 11 were gold.

Britain’s paralympian Dame Tanni Grey Thompson holds up her gold medals on the day she announces her retirement from international sport: Getty (still images) 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The London 2012 Paralympic Games will be making history as the second biggest multi-sport event ever held in the UK as well as being the largest and most commercially successful Paralympics held to date. Millions of spectators have enjoyed watching an event which previously received relatively little media coverage.  The Paralympics really have become ‘mainstream’ giving them the power to change social attitudes to disability, which must surely be to the benefit of us all.

 

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London Olympics 2012

Excitement mounts as the world awaits the opening of the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London on 27 July 2012. This is the third time the Games will have taken place in London;  the first  being in 1908 when the White City Stadium was built at short notice to accommodate them.

Originally these Games were to have been held in Rome but, following the eruption of Vesuvius in 1906, funds were diverted for the rebuilding of Naples and so their location was changed to a non-volcanic London.

White City 1908 : Museum of London

White City 1908 : Exploring 20th Century London (via Culture Grid)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forty years later the 1948 Summer Olympics were also held in London. Post-war rationing was still in force although athletes were allowed over twice the calorific intake of an adult in order to give them enough energy to compete. Watch this clip of the stirring opening ceremony which must have raised the spirits of those living through such austere times.

Britain 1948 - The Olympic Games : Gaumont British News  02-08-1948

Britain 1948 – The Olympic Games : Gaumont British News 02-08-1948

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Souvenir Guide Book 1948 Olympic Games: Museum of London

Souvenir Guide Book 1948 Olympic Games: Exploring 20th Century London (via Culture Grid)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sixty four years later, the Games are to revisit London. The intervening period has brought about great changes in the way the Games are run and how we view them. Since the Munich massacre in 1972 there has been increased concern the Games could be used to stage political acts of terrorism. Security will be a huge issue for the London 2012.

In the following clip from ‘News at Ten’ Mark Spitz talks about his own experience, as an athlete and potential hostage target, at the Munich Games during the hostage crisis.

Mark Spitz Interview: News at Ten  05-09-1972

Mark Spitz Interview: News at Ten 05-09-1972

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political changes within Europe have also had a big impact on the Games. As the dominance of the Soviet bloc came to an end, so did their former powerful prescence at the Olympics. There would now be new national teams from each of the former Communist states. The following clip also looks at how the Communist regime trained potential athletes through a system of select schools for children showing  outstanding  abilitiy in sports.

Olympic team after break-up of the Soviet Union : AP Archive  17-07-1992

Olympic team after break-up of the Soviet Union : AP Archive 17-07-1992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rapid advances in information technology mean more people can watch the Olympics than ever before. A new satellite was ordered by China Satcom to provide live television coverage for the Bejing Games in 2008.

Satellite launched for Olympic TV broadcasts: Getty (still images)  9-06-2008

Satellite launched for Olympic TV broadcasts: Getty (still images) 9-06-2008

 

Growing television audiences provide new markets for branded products. The Olympic brand for London 2012 is being protected by tough legislation to restrict its use to official sponsors who have paid enormous sums for exclusive rights.

The following clip, which looks at how Olympic sponsors tapped into the growing consumer economy of China, explains ‘…..it’s not just the athletes who are taking home the gold’

Global brands make grab for Olympic gold : Getty (moving images)  19-03-2008

Global brands make grab for Olympic gold : Getty (moving images) 19-03-2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are also controversial new rules governing the use of social media during London 2012. This includes banning athletes from posting video clips from the Olympic village or tweeting ‘in the role of a journalist’.

Ticket holders may not broadcast video or sound recordings or post pictures to Facebook from any events they attend. Should the use of social media be policed  during the Games and whose interests are being protected? London 2012 may prove interesting for more than displays of athletic prowess alone.

Don’t forget to let us know what you think about any of these issues.

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Soup Cans and Spray Cans

Like a word repeated too many times in succession, Andy Warhol’s exploration of mass-produced icons shook sturdy foundations and put a new spin on an old world. He was a master of estranging the familiar, of estranging everything.

a pop-art rendering of Marilyn Monroe's face

One of Warhol’s most recognizable pieces (A photo released 30 April 1998 by Sotheby's New York shows Andy Warhol's "Orange Marilyn". AFP, Getty Images. 30-04-1998)

Warhol’s ‘Campbell’s Soup Cans’ premiered 50 years ago on Sunday, effectively introducing the newfound pop art scene to the west coast from the Ferus Gallery, Los Angeles. The series is iconic of what a Warhol does to a viewer: love it or hate it, his work rarely escapes strong reaction.

Warhol's Soup Cans in an art print

The pioneer of pop art is still inspiring coming generations of artists (Pop Art- Warhol's art 20 years on. AFP Footage, Getty Moving Images. 20-02-2007)

Warhol’s background in graphic and product design strongly shaped his work. Whether it was cans, bottles, or a media icon’s face, he playfully instigated dialogue on aesthetic, expression, and commoditisation through repetitions of what we might come across several times a day in the real world.

a man talks emotively in his office

The modern world is not lacking for Warhol’s influence, and his friend says he would have felt right at home in this era (Pop art's children: Fashion star talks about Andy Warhol. AFP Footage, Getty Images. 17-03-2009)

Street art has been pushing the bounds of artistic license even within the experimental realm of modern pop art. From the 1970s graffiti movements of New York City this practice has developed into a debate about artistic license – and created a commodity in high demand.

a print of Marilyn Monroe's face glued to concrete, framed

In Hackney there was debate over whether graffiti is art or vandalism (Hackney Council to remove street art by graffiti artist Banksy. ITN. 28-10-2007)

Debates over graffiti’s classification as art or vandalism have come up again and again, especially around the works of the infamous and mysterious Banksy. This has created an uncomfortable boundary between art and vandalism that decides a works fate based on the quality of the work.

man wiping graffiti from a wall

A Westminster council member asks the same question (Westminster Council to paint over work by Banksy. ITN. 24-10-2008)

Designated graffiti areas and licenses for artists have begun to crop up. The documentary ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’ brought discussion about the contested medium into the spotlight. It seems that what was subversive is slowly becoming legal, at least in the right places.

Wall painted with 'Designated Graffiti Area' and some graffiti

‘This wall is a designated graffiti area’ (Street-art in Hoxton_11. GovEd Communications. 2008)

It looks like the next set of soup cans have as good a chance of being sprayed onto old bricks and concrete as they do on canvas. Warhol probably would have got a kick out of that.

artist with a spray can

Artist or vandal? (Graffiti. By Naki, PYMCA. 2000)

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Happy 50th Anniversary of Independence, Rwanda and Burundi!

The Kingdoms of Rwanda and Burundi have existed for centuries. This month they celebrate the 50th anniversary of their renewed independence, after subjugation after the First World War.

The two kingdoms’ fate became intertwined when Belgium won them from Germany in 1916. Then called Ruanda-Urundi, the single state was run as a plunder economy with Belgian-selected indigenous rule. These rulers were selected based on their position on either side of a racial divide, a decision that has had reverberating impacts all the way in to the present.

Earl Hurie speaking

Early talk of Europe and African Federation (EARL HURIE BACK FROM AFRICA. ITV Early Evening News. 04-05-1959)

In 1962, after decades that the League of Nations and United Nations had hoped would be spent investing in the area, Rwanda and Burundi were granted independence. Belgium was pressured to leave not just politically, but by conflict in the Belgian Congo.

Lord Gladwyn, Acting Secretary General of the United Nations 1945-46

Dag Hammarskjold was killed in a plane crash en-route to ceasefire talks in Katanga, which broke away from the newly independent Democratic Republic of Congo in 1960 (DAG HAMMARSKJOLD DEATH. ITV Late Evening News. 18-09-1961)

Times remained turbulent in Rwanda and Burundi, and both countries have been marked by tragedy even recently.

Cameraman on a camera-guiding track

Behind the scenes of 100 Days, the first fictional account of the Rwandan genocide (Rwanda: Film. GNS Weekly News, AP Archive. 10-03-1999)

While the lives they knew are gone, some survivors have finally been able to go home.

Refugees in the back of a canvas-topped truck

With help, refugees head home (BURUNDI / RWANDA: REFUGESS RETURN TO RWANDA FROM BURUNDI. Reuters TV. 21-02-1996)

Fortunately, from tragedy comes adversity. There has been progress over time, and even a few smiles.

Burundi dancer clapping

The 50th anniversary of the two countries independence allows an opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of these young nations. Rwanda and Burundi have been tempered by their own trials, but that only illustrates their tenacity. This is not merely a century of renewed independence now half full, it is a time of optimism and a celebration of what is to come.

Pierre Nkurunziza

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The Talented Mister Turing

June 23rd marks the centenary of Alan Turing’s Birth. In the 100 years since his birth, science and technology have advanced dramatically. Turing only lived into his 40s, but even so his contributions to science and technology were profound, provocative, and lifesaving.

Turing’s work in computability put him on the radar at Bletchley Park, where several of Britains brightest worked to crack the code of the German Enigma Machine. The team could be thought of as an early band of hackers, trying to extract information from German military command.

ENIGMA CODING MACHINE THEFT

One of the Enigma Machines Turing's team worked to beat was stolen. Fortunately, it was returned a few months later. (ENIGMA CODING MACHINE THEFT. ITV Lunchtime News. 04-03-2000)

Turing’s work centered around the development of the bombe, an early electromechanical device that eventually led to modern computers. The bombe could repeatedly test potential Enigma codes and pass along promising candidates to cryptanalysts at Bletchley. In succeeding, the team’s efforts are credited with bringing about Allied victory years before it might otherwise have.

Bombe Replica

The bombe, and other British inventions were showcased in this exhibition (BRITISH GENIUS EXHIBITION. News At Ten ( ITV Late Evening News). 26-05-1977)

Computability was conceptualized through the processes that a Turing machine would go through to complete tasks. Turing believed that most tasks could be broken down into something machine readable, an algorithm. This is a set of instructions for calculating a result or solving a problem. When done repeteadly and precisely, potential applications are limitless.

3D representation of the surface of the human brain

An algorithm generated this three dimensional brain scan (Surface detail of a human brain. Wellcome Images)

As algorithms and the machines that analyzed them became more powerful they eventually developed into what we now think of as supercomputers, laptops, smartphones, and so on. As the creator of the Turing machine concept and one of the early thinkers in computability, Turing is considered the grandfather of computer science and the computer itself.

Woman standing amongst a supercomputer array

Now supercomputers can be used to run stock markets, model the climate, and calculate trajectories for objects launched from Earth to destinations hundreds of thousands of miles away (Fastest Supercomputer in the World. Getty (still images). 28-06-2000)

The impact of Turing’s work in computing enabled the rise of the internet and societal development toward an information or knowledge economy.

Man talking about an internet exhibition

An early look at the internet (INTERNET EXHIBITION. ITV Lunchtime News. 25-04-1995)

Modern computer and internet integration aren’t all positive of course. The world is now more susceptible to viruses than ever. A virus from the turn of the millennium, Love Bug, made headlines simply because it was widespread. A little over a decade later, viruses often aren’t newsworthy unless they cause significant problems at noteworthy sites.

Man giving a conference on the Love Bug Virus

The Love Bug virus caused quite a stir (COMPUTERS: LOVE BUG VIRUS. Channel 4 Early Evening News. 05-05-2000)

The Turing Test raises an array of questions about knowledge, what it means to be human, and how artificial intelligence will develop. The test attempts to determine whether a person might be able to tell if they are interacting with a human or a machine during computer-mediated socialization. Those of you who’ve seen Blade Runner may recall the Voight-Kampff test, a modified Turing Test that revealed whether or not a humanoid was human or a Replicant machine.

Sony president at a podium

Sony already has robots commercially available in Japan for various purposes. Some of them help to comfort and socialize isolated individuals. They may not pass the Turing Test yet, but they are on their way (Japan's electronics giant Sony president Ryoji Chubachi. Getty (still images). 03-06-2008)

The University of Leeds is the epicenter for a whole year of events that celebrate the man’s life, including the TURING 100 Conference on the days surrounding the anniversary. There, major figures in the world of science and technology will gather to give lectures and honor a short life’s work. It’s been 100 years since Alan Turing’s birth, and in that time we’ve come from no computers to smartphones in half of British pockets. Who knows what innovations will have come by the next time we celebrate this anniversary. Any ideas?

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Farewell to Our Man from Mars: Ray Bradbury Dies at 91

Ray Bradbury passed away at the age of 91 on 5th June leaving seven decades of work for posterity.

He was a monumental figure in 20th century science fiction and his genre of choice let him wield imagination to get a message across. He was the master of making the familiar seem strange, and the strange feel familiar.

 

Still from the Man and His Culture Film from the Open Video Project

"Everyday life might be pretty weird from an alien perspective" (Open Video Project : 1954)

 

Novels, comics, and stories of all sorts were an integral part of the author’s life from a very young age. Fahrenheit 451, possibly his most famous work, was a scathing commentary on censorship set in a dystopian future.

Person standing behind a sign that reads Art is Patriotic. Censorship Isn't at a demonstration supporting the display of Dread Scott Tyler's flag art at the Art Institute of Chicago.  (Photo by Keith Philpott//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Person standing behind a sign that reads Art is Patriotic. Censorship Isn't (Photo by Keith Philpott//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images 11-03-1989)

That book was published in the 1950s, an era characterised by its enthusiasm for censorship.

Image of a man standing outside next to a theatre poster.

The Theatres Act, which restricted the content of plays was repealed (THEATRE CENSORSHIP ENDS. News At Ten (ITV Late Evening News) 26-09-1968)

Bradbury preferred to call his own works fantasy, rather than science fiction, and although they are fantastic, books like The Illustrated Man and The Martian Chronicles were loved by science fiction fans all over the world.

Picture of a group of people in science fiction costumes.

Humans in otherworldly attire talk about their science fiction favorites. (WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION. ITV Early Evening News 09-08-1957)

Outside the literary world, Bradbury acted as a consultant at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City and in 1982 he was instrumental in the development of Spaceship Earth, the iconic “Epcot ball” at Disney World in Florida.

Image of two men playing early computer games.

Take a look at first impressions of Epcot (EPCOT. News at Ten (ITV Late Evening News) 10-04-1982)

His contributions to science fiction also inspired many to go into the fields of science and technology.

Image of a landing probe.

Mission: Impossible, landing a probe on a comet five billion miles away (SPACE: EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY MISSION TO LAND PROBE ON COMET. ITV Early Evening News. 19-02-2004)

Some of Bradbury’s work describes then-futuristic computers, modes of transportation, and what he believed it would be like to colonise other planets.

Image of the USS Starship Enterprise from the series Star Trek

Power in the Star Trek universe may be closer to reality than we think (ANTI MATTER ATOMS CREATED. Channel 4 News (Channel 4 Early Evening News). 01-05-1996)

Curl up with one of Bradbury’s books over the weekend. Or any book, for that matter – that’s what he would have wanted.

 

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JISC MediaHub Celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

As celebrations begin for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, why not take a look at some of the historic resources on JISC MediaHub  which date from the time of her coronation in 1953.

ER Emblem designed by James Gardner. University of Brighton Design Archives

ER Emblem designed by James Gardner. University of Brighton Design Archives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our University of  Brighton Design Archives Collection contain some of the original designs by James Gardner which were commissioned for the Queen’s Coronation . He designed the public decorations for the Royal Borough of Kensington including a magnificent canopy which stood near the gates of Kensington Palace.

Original watercolour sketch of Coronation canopy designed by James Gardner: UoB

Original watercolour sketch of Coronation canopy designed by James Gardner: UoB Design Archives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see below how the canopy  looked when it was built.

Coronation Canopy, Kensington Palace Gates, by James Gardner: UoB Design Archives

Coronation Canopy, Kensington Palace Gates, by James Gardner: UoB Design Archives

 

Gaumont British News produced a film showing the highlights of the Queen’s Coronation. The BBC provided live coverage of the event which encouraged many people to buy their first television set. This would start the gradual decline in the popularity of cinema newsreels.

 The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II :  Gaumont British News

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II : Gaumont British News

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II :  Gaumont British News

 

Take a closer look at the white satin gown worn by the Queen at her coronation in this news clip from Channel Five News, which reports on a special exhibition held at Buckingham Palace in the year of the Golden Jubilee. Alongside the floral emblems embroidered on the bodice was a unique four leaf clover which the designer, Norman Hartnell, had secretly included.

Buckingham Palace Opens Doors to Public: Channel Five News  01-08- 2003

Buckingham Palace Opens Doors to Public: Channel Five News 01-08- 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy all your celebrations on Jubilee Day –  but keep safe with this sage advice from the 1977 Silver Jubilee:

Jubilee Crime : ITV News 02-06-1977

Jubilee Crime : ITV News 02-06-1977

 

 Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad mounted a special ‘beat the pickpocket’ operation to keep the public safe from the expected influx of thieves from abroad.

 

 

 

 And watch out for all that dodgy Jubilee memorabilia!
Jubilee Rip Offs : ITV News 03-06-1977

Jubilee Rip Offs : ITV News 03-06-1977

 

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Northern Ireland: The Years of Conflict

In this blog post we want to introduce you to the vast range of resources held by JISC MediaHub which cover the period of the Irish Troubles and the peace process which followed.

The Saville Inquiry Into The Bloody Sunday Shootings Is Released: Getty (still images) 15-06-2010

JISC have just  announced the launch of Chronicle, a joint project with the BUFVC and the BBC, to make BBC Northern Ireland’s television news  from 1963 to 1976  available to the academic community online.  Alongside this important new resource JISC MediaHub offers a wealth of images and video footage which extends coverage of the conflict in Northern Ireland through to the peace process and up to the present day. Many hours of news coverage are available from the ITV News Collection and the Channel 4 News Collection, as well as images from Getty.

The Maze Prison

H Blocks of the Maze Prison: Maze Prison Backgrounder: Channel 4 News 26-07-2000

Channel 4 News produced a fascinating background feature on the notorious Maze Prison, where paramilitary prisoners were held between 1971 and 2000. The film, made in July 2000, contains interviews with both ex-prisoners and prison staff and it is these first hand accounts of life in the Maze which make it so compelling.

US President Bill Clinton's car passes the Sinn Fein Headquarters 30-11-95 Getty (still images)

US President Bill Clinton's car passes the Sinn Fein Headquarters 30-11-95 Getty (still images)

Bill Clinton was the first US President to visit Northern Ireland in November 1995. The success of this and future visits contributed to him playing a key role in the peace process.

Tony Blair announces the signing of the Good Friday Agreement: ITN 10-04-1998

Hopes for the end to conflict were pinned to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998, however only a few months later the Omagh Bombing took place.

Northern Ireland: Omagh Bomb     ITV News  15-08-98

Northern Ireland: Omagh Bomb ITV News 15-08-98

It would be nearly another nine years before a new power sharing government would be installed at Stormont.

Against all odds: Ian Paisley and Martin McGuiness share government: ITN 08-05-2007

Divided for years by sectarian hatred, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness became political colleagues at the head of Northern Ireland’s new powersharing Government in May 2007: Northern Ireland Peace Process Has New Power-Sharing  Government Sworn In: ITN  08-05-2007

These are just a few hightlights from the still images and many hours of news footage to be found on  JISC MediaHub, documenting not just the key political negotiations but the testimony of ordinary people who lived through decades of terror.

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Royal Mail Film Classics

EDINA is delighted to announce that, after encountering some unexpected licensing issues, the Royal Mail Film Classics collection is now available in JISC MediaHub. As you may remember, the collection was previously part of Film & Sound Online and  includes world-famous documentaries such as ‘Night Mail‘ and cinematic experiments such as ‘A Colour Box‘. The GPO Film Unit , which opened in the 1930′s,  showcased an array of artistic talent and provided a training ground for bright new British documentary film-makers.

Still from "A Colour Box"

Still from "A Colour Box"

Read more about the Royal Mail Film Classics collection at  http://jiscmediahub.ac.uk/about/inside and also on our blog.

There are over 60 titles to explore. Don’t forget to let us know which is your favourite film from this collection.

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