Vintage BBC computer found at tip rehomed in museum

Matthew Bostock spotted the computer at his local recycling centre and alerted the staff to retrieve it

A vintage BBC computer that was rescued from a Derbyshire tip has gone on show at a museum in Sheffield.

Ilkeston resident Matthew Bostock spotted the strange computer at his local recycling centre before Derbyshire County Council donated it to The National Videogame Museum (NVM).

Mr Bostock's find turned out to be a working BBC Microcomputer - an "iconic" 8-bit home computer launched in 1981 to improve computer literacy in schools.

“I am just pleased that we saved this item rather than it being recycled or going for scrap", said Mr Bostock.

"Thanks to the staff at the recycling centre for helping to rescue it when I pointed it out, and to the county council for finding such a good home for it."

The BBC Microcomputer, which was also known as the BBC Micro, is on show at the NVM in Sheffield

The NVM said the BBC Microcomputer was priced at £399 when released in 1981, the equivalent of around £1,900 today.

The museum added that the computer was part of the BBC Computer Literacy Project, and it sold over 1.5 million units until its discontinuation in 1994.

The new addition to the museum is featured alongside fellow computers and games consoles of the 70s and 80s, such as the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and the Fairchild Channel F.

The computer is now being used by visitors at the NVM

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure and environment, said: “This is a great story, and we’re really grateful to Matthew for spotting this important computer.

“The BBC Micro is an object that holds many memories for our audiences. I can imagine parents taking their children to see it over the summer holidays – recalling the computers of their youth and introducing the youngsters to a bit of our computer heritage."

John O'Shea, creative director at the NVM, said the computer was a "special item".

“We welcome this addition to our museum and thank the county council for donating it to us.

"It’s a special item helping to tell a story of British innovation in the 1980s and 90s, and it shows how computing is integral to education right up to the present day."

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