Dr Helen Wheatley, Associate Professor in the Film & Television Studies department considers the involvement of women in the early development of the Television Service,

"Women worked in key roles in all levels of production in these early years, freed by the possibilities of constructing a brand new medium. In front of the camera, female continuity announcers like Mary Malcolm and Sylvia Peters were essential in bridging the gap between the viewers and home and the glamorous new world of television. Behind the cameras, women played a number of key roles, from camera operator to senior producer.

Helen discussed the careers of women such as Barbara 'Bimbi' Harris who overcame the physical hardships of the studio and being snubbed by her male colleagues to become the BBC's first female camera operator, and also Mary Adams, television's first female producer.

Adams' career is fascinating: a working wife and mother at a time when the BBC claimed not to employ married women, she was a passionate, committed socialist who moved from a career in Botany to one of the most senior production positions in the fledgling TV service."

Dr Wheatley took part in an interview with the BBC News on this topic, you can watch again clicking on the image below and scrolling to 30 minutes in:

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