It’s 1816 and in a little French town an inventor by the name of Nicéphore Niépce has just created the first small camera. Making him the first to have any success at all in the field of photography. Nearly 200 years on, technology and media have quickly developed into the imaginative products we know and love today. But what did people use before the smart phone came to exist? How did they capture memories and be entertained? The answers you’re looking for are all here at the National Media Museum.
This modern looking building is full of historical wonders that over the years have helped shape British television and film culture into the fabulous works of art that we know and love today. This fascinating museum is located in the centre of Bradford and surprisingly close to public transport links. Here you can stroll through the different floors and are encouraged to delve into little snippets of the past. Each gallery provides an insight to film, photography, television, animation and new media that have been popular throughout the decades.
The museum is beautifully designed and boasts spectacular views out into the heart of Bradford city centre from the enormous glass windows at the front of the building. Displayed over seven floors, there are over 3.5 million items on display to the public including a fearsome remake of a Dalek from the 1965 Doctor Who movie.
The museum opened its doors in 1983 and became the first venue in Europe to have a permanent IMAX theatre which allows viewers to watch new movies on a screen that measures a whopping five stories high. Shaun the Sheep was a firm favourite amongst families during term time. People were eagerly queuing outside the doors to get the best seats in the house. Children were brimming with excitement to see the little sheep from Wallace and Gromit making an appearance on the big screen.
John Myers, 38, said: “I’ve been to this museum before and my kids just loved it, there are so many things to keep them occupied. I always enjoy myself here, I’ve actually learnt a lot about new media and how far technology has advanced over the years. We’re going to the IMAX in an hour or so after just about managing to get tickets. We can't wait, I know it will be incredible, my boys are excited to see Shawn the Sheep on the big screen.”
Although the museum can get busy during term time, getting a seat at the café is easy enough with the assistance of the staff controlling the flow of people in and out of the seating area. There is even a picnic section if you’ve brought your own lunch.
There is always room for exploring as the galleries are filled with attention-grabbing displays and information suitable for everyone. The animation gallery is fantastic, here you can view original models and artwork from over a hundred animations such as Andy Pandy or Danger Mouse.
Jackie Walkington, 50, said: “It’s my first time visiting here with my daughter and grandson. I love it, it really takes me back to the old days when there was only two TV channels. It’s such a great museum, I’ve loved everything I’ve seen so far, especially the Games Lounge.”
The museum has an extensive range of classic arcade games from over the last six decades in the games lounge. Both children and adults can appreciate the retro console games from Saga, Nintendo, Atari and Commodore. Games cost between 10-50 pence each which is the same price as they cost to play in the eighties. Reminiscing isn’t hard when you’re able to interact with little bits of original gaming history. It provides hours of interactive fun for not only children, but adults too.
Jordan Barcroft, 11, said: “I’ve had a great day at the museum. It’s the most fun thing I’ve done all half term. My favourite part is the photography floor because I never knew cameras were that big.”
On the lower ground floor is the Kodak Gallery, here you can take a journey through the history of photography and see where it all began nearly 200 years ago. Today, anyone can be a photographer but back then it took a lot of skill and effort, so if you want to know more about the origins of photography then this gallery is worth a look. It’s jam packed with old film cameras and authentic Victorian photographs in remarkable condition. There is even a replica of a traditional dark room where you can see how photographers developed their film.
Rated the number one best attractive in Bradford, this museum provides families with hours of learning, games and fun. Perhaps in another 200 years in the future new media and technology will have evolved again? But we mustn’t forget the French inventor who helped shape the way we literally view the world today.