London Calling Asia: The typewriter comes to the Foreign Office

Interview with Robert Vansittart by Stephen Black about the introduction of the typewriter at the (British) Foreign Office. Aired on BBC Far Eastern Service (London Calling Asia) on 1953-11-23. Reflects on the improvement of communications and the shift from quill pens to typewriters at the Foreign Office.
Edited Title
London Calling Asia: The typewriter comes to the Foreign Office
Archivist's Original Title
London Calling Asia: The typewriter comes to the Foreign Office
Original description
Interview with Robert Vansittart by Stephen Black about the introduction of the typewriter at the (British) Foreign Office. Aired on BBC Far Eastern Service (London Calling Asia) on 1953-11-23. Reflects on the improvement of communications and the shift from quill pens to typewriters at the Foreign Office.
Recording date of the original material
1953-11-20
Broadcast Date
1953-11-23
Country Name
Recording place
Resource Language
English
Performer/Speaker
Tags, Keywords
Feature
Technology
Archivist Category
Radio Programme
Recording context
Radio Programme
Collection source citation
Holding Institution of Original Materials
Accessing Institutions
Physical format
78 rpm
Original item number
9CL0031365
SEAH Identifier
BBC00009
Broadcast Topic
Culture
Description
Robert Vansittart interviewed by Stephen Black about the advent of the typewriter at the (British) Foreign Office. An extract from Personal Call no. 22, broadcast in London Calling Asia, 23 November 1953. BBC summary: Improvement of communications has made people more prolix and verbose. When he first joined Foreign Office most things were written out with quill pen. Recalls 1903 when, bored with quill, he attempted to use a typewriter; whereupon Departmental Heads protested they were in a hurry! 1 disc 2 sides 30 cm 78 rpm mono Label: BBC ARCHIVE 20696. Broadcast :BBC Far Eastern Service (London Calling Asia) 1953-11-23 ^A246768

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