The Education Technology Archive (ETA) in 8W is a museum which celebrates the evolution of technology over the past 50 years.
Set up by Rob Hyde and Tom Pace in DDaT, the concept began when Tom went to look at 'some old computers' in a shed of a family friend who wondered if the University might find a use for them. What he discovered was an great collection of old equipment from the 1970s and beyond. This gave Rob and Tom the idea of establishing a museum to showcase old technology for others to explore and learn from. The museum will house historic pieces which have been carefully restored and given a new lease of life.
A year in the making and with donations from far and wide − including our own storage − the team are ready to open their doors to staff, students and the public.
Rob said:
The ETA has been established to demystify educational technology so that the cultural value of these historic objects are not lost or forgotten to future generations. We can't wait for people to come and have a look around. It's a chance to reminisce for some, and for others, a chance to experience technology of the past and marvel at how far we've come!
Explore the archive
The archive is currently open every lunchtime for anyone who'd like to take a look around and try out some of the restored equipment in the interactive displays. You'll find us in 8W 1.25.
The space is also available for meeting and event bookings.
To arrange a visit or make a booking, please email eta@bath.ac.uk
Donate your old equipment
If you have equipment you'd like to donate to the archive, please email eta@bath.ac.uk with a photo of your item. This could include:
- audio equipment (such as hearing support, signal processors)
- calculators (simple to complex)
- classroom technologies (chalkboards, whiteboards, etc)
- computers (including laptops, tablets, single board and software)
- computer components (such as hard discs, memory, graphics cards and interface cards)
- control systems for rooms
- counting devices (such as counters, abacuses, samplers )
- printing, scanning and digitising
- programmable toys (learning, toy computers, robots etc)
- projectors (data, slides, scopes, overhead)
- test equipment (meters, scopes)
- video equipment (cameras, televisions, film)
- visual equipment (stereoscopes, kaleidoscopes, epidiascopes)