Founded in 1969, the Open University began broadcasting modules on the BBC in 1971, introducing the world to the decidedly less-than-camera-friendly likes of Joy Manners, the unfortunately-named Stuart Freake, and that beardy bloke who scoffed an entire Victoria Sponge on air under the pretence of making a point about the ‘economic cake’. Orbiting in a strange broadcasting hinterland before and after the ‘start’ and ‘end’ of television, it was almost as if the Open University played by its own scheduling rules – something that was emphasised by the listings appearing in small print at the foot of Radio Times pages, and by, well, the rather unfriendly continuity that they used more to repel boarders than to denote their existence.
This took the form of an authoritarian blue shield on a yellow background, ostensibly visually punning on the letters ‘O’ and ‘U’, but looking more like the insignia of an opressive stentorian regime whose output the likes of you had no business watching. This would remain entirely motionless on the screen until, when you were least expecting it, it would suddenly start moving, accompanied by an archaic and foreboding fanfare derived from Leonard Salzedo’s Divertimento, and cued in at tremendous volume to boot. And thus it was that stern academia came to freak out many a youngster who had turned on too ‘early’ for Dastardly And Muttley In Their Flying Machines.
In 1982, the Open University continuity got a much-fanfared (not least by Leonard Salzedo at speaker-ratting volume) computer-generated overhaul, giving us an exciting new logo that looked… well, exactly the same if we’re being honest about it. Best to fast-forward a few years, then…
By 1984, the Open University had been brought in line with the overall channel branding, and now looked… well, not really that different at all. Though that said, that did allow for different visuals for BBC1 and BBC2, so maybe…
Hang on a minute… Parky? What’s he doing here?! Don’t start adjusting your set just yet – unfortunately, despite extensive research, it’s proved impossible to locate any examples of the Open University logo looking any different to any other Open University logo in the history of the Open University ever, so Mr. Parkinson has generously agreed to appear as an illustration in its place. Anyway, that’s the last we’ll be seeing of him.
…and, basically, that’s the last we’ll be seeing of this attempt to write an entry about the changing face of the Open University. This would be an opportune moment to make a joke about how the page will suddenly start changing when you least expect it, but let’s face it, that’s not going to happen. Ah well, better luck next time. And we really do mean ‘time’…
