The BBC Microcomputer was launched in December 1981 as part of the BBC's Computer Literacy Project. The Computer Literacy Project was created by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) to increase computer literacy and to encourage as wide a range of people as possible to gain hands-on experience with a microcomputer. The BBC Micro was very successful in the UK, selling over 1.5 million units, and was widely used in schools, with the large majority of schools having one.

As part of the project the BBC wanted to commission the development of a microcomputer that could accompany the TV programmes and literature. The BBC created a list of required specifications in early 1981, with companies including Acorn Computers, Sinclair Research, Tangerine Computer Systems, NewBury Laboratories and Dragon Data showing interest in the project. Acorn's bid won in March 1981 with their Proton prototype, which was being developed as the successor to the Acorn Atom. While the BBC Micro was launched in December 1981, production problems meant that deliveries of the computer were delayed.

The BBC Microcomputer, or the 'Beeb', is based on the 6502A microprocessor, which ran at 2MHz, and has 32K of ROM. The Model A shipped with 16K RAM and cost £299. The Model B shipped with 32K RAM and cost £399. The Model B featured higher-resolution graphics due to the higher RAM. Both models used the same circuit board, therefore making it possible to upgrade a Model A to a Model B. The machine's high cost was compensated for by its impressive expansion possibilities including disc drives, a second processor and network capabilities (Econet).

The BBC Micro used the BBC BASIC programming language, a version of the BASIC programming language. It was created mainly by Sophie Wilson for the BBC Micro. 

The BBC Micro is housed in a case which includes an internal power supply and a 64-key keyboard with 10 additional user-definable keys. On the back of the case there are ports for UHF out, video out, RGB, RS-423, cassette, analogue in and Econet.

"For me this was the machine that really got me into programming and micro electronics. The BBC Micro was developed by Acorn computers for the BBC who were embarking on an education programme for the UK called the "BBC Computer Literacy Project". The BBC made it their mission to have at least one of these machines available in every school in the UK.

 

The 'beeb' as it quickly became known as was fantastic for connecting to external equipment. It featured an anlogue 'joystick' port, a digital 'user' port, a 1Mhz bus connection, a 'tube' connection and a plethora of other connections. So many infact the the back of the machine ran out of space and they had to create a cut-away bay underneath the machine to accommodate them. But it was due to its connectivity and expandability that I really took to the beeb and started designing peripherals and software.

 

It was not a cheap machine. The BBC Model B sold for £399 on the high street in 1983 which was relatively expensive compared with other available machines like the Commodore 64 which sold for around £229. Regardless of the difference in price, because it was backed by the BBC, the beeb sold very well with over 1 million units sold."

Acorn BBC Micro Model B Manuals:

Item	Manufacturer	Date
Acorn - Genlock Modifications to the BBC Microcomputer	Acorn Computers	Unknown
BBC Micro User Guide - Provisional Copy	Acorn Computer	1981
Microvitec - LCCD (Low Complexity Colour Display) Operating Instructions - Issue 2	Microvitec	18 Jun 1981
MEP - Control Basic Manual	Micro-Electronics Education Programme	1982
Welcome FORTH for the BBC Micro	HCCS Associates	1982
Service Manual for the BBC Microcomputer - Issue 2	Acorn Computer	1982
Acorn BBC Micro Disc System User Guide	Acorn	1982
Acorn BBC Micro Service Manual - Issue 2 (2)	Acorn Computers Limited	Apr 1982
Acorn - The BBC Microcomputer - Disc System User Guide - Temporary Manual	Acorn Computer	May 1982
BBC Micro - Teletext System - User Guide (Provisional Issue)	Acorn Computer	1983
Acorn - The Econet: A Local Area Network - Data Link Layer and Physical Layer Specifications	Acorn Computers	1983
BBC Micro - Teletext System - User Guide	Acorn Computer	May 1983
Acorn Information Volume 1 July 1983		Jul 1983
CPM/2 2.2 with GSX Graphics Operating System Manual		Sep 1983
Oasis SPP1000B Eprom Programmer Manual		Sep 1983
VIEW Guide	Acornsoft	1984
Into VIEW An introduction to word processing on the BBC Micro	Acornsoft	1984
VIEWSHEET User Guide	Acornsoft	1984
File Plan		Feb 1984
Accountant		Feb 1984
Memo Plan		Feb 1984
Graph Plan		Feb 1984
Nucleus System Generator		Feb 1984
Acorn BBC Microcomputer Service Manual - Issue 4	Acorn Computer	Jul 1984
SJ Research - Manual Excerpt on Econet Programming	SJ Research	11 Feb 1985
Music 5000 Synthesiser User Guide	Hybrid Technology	1986
BBC Master Series Reference Manual Part Two	Acorn Computers Limited	Jan 1986
BBC Master Series Reference Manual Part Two (Signed)	Acorn Computers Limited	Jan 1986
BBC Master Series Reference Manual Part One (Signed)	Acorn Computers Limited	Mar 1986
BBC Master Series Reference Manual Part One	Acorn Computers Limited	Mar 1986
AMPLE Nucleus Programmer Guide	Hybrid Technology	1987
The Concise BBC Microcomputer Service Manual	Acorn Computers Ltd	Jan 2011

Acorn BBC Micro Model B Articles:

Item	Manufacturer	Date
David Holdsworth: Reminiscence		Unknown
Memories - Notes by a physicist who dabbled with computers - John Yates		Unknown
Memories - The Tatung Einstein (1)		Unknown
Memories - Working with the Commodore PET and the BBC Micro by Dr Geoff Luxford		1979
Memories - My History of Computing - From a School Teacher		Feb 2009
Computing Britain		2015

Magazines RELATED to Acorn BBC Micro Model B in our Library

Item	Manufacturer	Date
REM 80 - Volume 6, Issue 3	The North West TRS-80 Users Group	Unknown
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 4, Number 8 - January / February 1986	Beebug	Unknown
The Micro User - May 1985 - Vol 3 No 3	Database Publications Ltd	Unknown
Your Computer - January 1982		Jan 1982
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 1 - April 1982 - First Edition	Beebug	Apr 1982
Laserbug - Issue 1 - April 1982	Laserbug	Apr 1982
Your Computer - May 1982		May 1982
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 2 - May 1982	Beebug	May 1982
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 3 - June 1982	Beebug	Jun 1982
The War Machine Issue No. 8 - June 1982		Jun 1982
OWL Issue 1 - June 1982	WL	Jun 1982
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 4 - July 1982	Beebug	Jul 1982
Personal Computer World - July 1982		Jul 1982
Acorn User - July/August 1982		1 Jul 1982
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 5 - September 1982	Beebug	Sep 1982
Acorn User - September 1982		6 Sep 1982
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 6 - October 1982	Beebug	Oct 1982
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 7 - November 1982	Beebug	Nov 1982
Personal Computer World - November 1982		Nov 1982
Acorn User - November 1982		Nov 1982
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 8 - December 1982 /January 1983	Beebug	Dec 1982
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 9 - February 1983	Beebug	Feb 1983
Beebug Newsletter - Volume 1, Number 10 - March 1983	Beebug	Mar 1983
BBC Micro User - March 1983 - FIRST EDITION	Database Publications Ltd	Mar 1983
BBC Micro User - April 1983 - Vol 1 No 2	Database Publications Ltd	Apr 1983
Personal Computer World - April 1983		Apr 1983
BBC Micro User - May 1983 - Vol 1 No 3	Database Publications Ltd	May 1983
The Micro User - June 1983 - Vol 1 No 4	Database Publications Ltd	Jun 1983
The Micro User - July 1983 - Vol 1 No 5	Database Publications Ltd	Jul 1983
Personal Computer World - August 1983		Aug 1983
The Micro User - August 1983 - Vol 1 No 6	Database Publications Ltd	Aug 1983
Practical Computing - September 1983		Sep 1983
The Micro User - September 1983 - Vol 1 No 7	Database Publications Ltd	Sep 1983
The Micro User - October 1983 - Vol 1 No 8	Database Publications Ltd	Oct 1983
The Micro User - November 1983 - Vol 1 No 9	Database Publications Ltd	Nov 1983
The Micro User - December 1983 - Vol 1 No 10	Database Publications Ltd	Dec 1983
The War Machine Issue No. 24 - January/February 1984		Jan 1984
The Micro User - January 1984 - Vol 1 No 11	Database Publications Ltd	Jan 1984
Personal Computer World - February 1984		Feb 1984
The Micro User - February 1984 - Vol 1 No 12	Database Publications Ltd	Feb 1984
The Micro User - March 1984 - Vol 2 No 1	Database Publications Ltd	Mar 1984
The War Machine Issue No. 25 - March/April 1984		Mar 1984
The Micro User - April 1984 - Vol 2 No 2	Database Publications Ltd	Apr 1984
The Micro User - May 1984 - Vol 2 No 3	Database Publications Ltd	May 1984
The War Machine Issue No. 26 - May/June 1984		May 1984
The Micro User - June 1984 - Vol 2 No 4	Database Publications Ltd	Jun 1984
Acorn User - June 1984		1 Jun 1984
The Micro User - July 1984 - Vol 2 No 5	Database Publications Ltd	Jul 1984
Practical Computing - July 1984		Jul 1984
Acorn User - July 1984		1 Jul 1984
The Micro User - August 1984 - Vol 2 No 6	Database Publications Ltd	Aug 1984
Acorn User - August 1984		1 Aug 1984
The Micro User - September 1984 - Vol 2 No 7	Database Publications Ltd	Sep 1984
Personal Computing Today - October 1984		1 Sep 1984
The Micro User - October 1984 - Vol 2 No 8	Database Publications Ltd	Oct 1984
Acorn User - October 1984		1 Oct 1984
The Micro User - November 1984 - Vol 2 No 9	Database Publications Ltd	Nov 1984
Acorn User - November 1984		1 Nov 1984
The Micro User - December 1984 - Vol 2 No 10	Database Publications Ltd	Dec 1984
Acorn User - December 1984		1 Dec 1984
The Micro User - January 1985 - Vol 2 No 11	Database Publications Ltd	Jan 1985
The Micro User - February 1985 - Vol 2 No 12	Database Publications Ltd	Feb 1985
The Micro User - March 1985 - Vol 3 No 1	Database Publications Ltd	Mar 1985
The Micro User - April 1985 - Vol 3 No 2	Database Publications Ltd	Apr 1985
The Micro User - June 1985 - Vol 3 No 4	Database Publications Ltd	Jun 1985
The Micro User - July 1985 - Vol 3 No 5	Database Publications Ltd	Jul 1985
The Micro User - August 1985 - Vol 3 No 6	The Micro User	1 Aug 1985
Acorn User - September 1985		Sep 1985
Personal Computer World - November 1985		1 Nov 1985
The Micro User - December 1985 - Vol 3 No 10	The Micro User	Dec 1985
University of Cambridge Computing Service January/February 1986 Newsletter 123		1986
The Micro User - January 1986 - Vol 3 No 11	Database Publications Ltd	Jan 1986
Acorn User - February 1986		Feb 1986
Personal Computer World - February 1986		Feb 1986
The Micro User - February 1986 - Vol 3 No 12	Database Publications Ltd	Feb 1986
Acorn User - March 1986		Mar 1986
A & B Computing - March 1986	Argus	Mar 1986
Acorn User - April 1986		Apr 1986
The Micro User - April 1986 - Vol 4 No 2	Database Publications Ltd	Apr 1986
The Micro User - May 1986 - Vol 4 No 3	Database Publications Ltd	May 1986
The Micro User - June 1986 - Vol 4 No 4	Database Publications Ltd	Jun 1986
Personal Computer World - June 1986		1 Jun 1986
The Micro User - July 1986 - Vol 4 No 5	Database Publications Ltd	Jul 1986
ULCC News July 1986 Newsletter 201		Jul 1986
Acorn User - August 1986		Aug 1986
Acorn User - September 1986		Sep 1986
The Micro User - December 1986 - Vol 4 No 10	The Micro User	Dec 1986
The Micro User - February 1987 - Vol 4 No 12	Database Publications Ltd	Feb 1987
The Micro User - April 1987 - Vol 5 No 2	Database Publications Ltd	Apr 1987
A&B Magazine - April 1987	Argus	Apr 1987
The Micro User - May 1987 - Vol 5 No 3	Database Publications Ltd	May 1987
The Micro User - June 1987 - Vol 5 No 4	Database Publications Ltd	Jun 1987
A&B Magazine - June 1987	Argus	Jun 1987
The Micro User - July 1987 - Vol 5 No 5	Database Publications Ltd	Jul 1987
A&B Magazine - July 1987	Argus	Jul 1987
A&B Magazine - September 1987	Argus	Sep 1987
Archive - Vol 1, No 1 - October 1987	Norwich Computer Services	Oct 1987
A&B Magazine - October 1987	Argus	Oct 1987
The Micro User - November 1987 - Vol 5 No 9	Database Publications Ltd	Nov 1987
The Micro User - December 1987 - Vol 5 No 10	The Micro User	Dec 1987
The Micro User - March 1988 - Vol 6 No 1	Database Publications Ltd	Mar 1988
The Micro User - September 1988 - Vol 6 No 7	Database Publications Ltd	Sep 1988
Personal Computer World - March 1989		1 Mar 1989
The Micro User - April 1989 - Vol 7 No 2	Database Publications Ltd	Apr 1989
Acorn - Healthcare News 5 - September 1989	Acorn Computers Limited	Sep 1989
The Micro User - January 1990 - Vol 7 No 11	Database Publications Ltd	Jan 1990
The Micro User - July 1990 - Vol 8 No 5	The Micro User	Jul 1990
Acorn User - August 1987		25 Mar 2009
Acorn User - March 1988		25 Mar 2009
Acorn User - August 1983		25 Mar 2009
Acorn User - January 1985		1 Apr 2009
Acorn User - March 1985		1 Apr 2009
Acorn User - June 1985		1 Apr 2009
Acorn User - September 1983		7 Apr 2009
Acorn User - August 1988		27 May 2009
Acorn User - September 1988		27 May 2009
Acorn User - October 1988		27 May 2009
Acorn User - November 1988		27 May 2009
Acorn User - December 1988		27 May 2009
Acorn User - February 1989		27 May 2009
Acorn User - March 1989		27 May 2009
Acorn User - May 1989		27 May 2009
Acorn User - June 1989		27 May 2009
Acorn User - September 1989		3 Jun 2009
Acorn User - November 1989		3 Jun 2009
Acorn User - December 1989		3 Jun 2009
Acorn User - March 1990		3 Jun 2009
Acorn User - May 1990		3 Jun 2009
Acorn User - July 1990		3 Jun 2009
Acorn User - September 1990		3 Jun 2009
Acorn User - January 1991		3 Jun 2009
Acorn User - August 1991		10 Jun 2009
Acorn User - October 1991		10 Jun 2009
Acorn User - April 1992		10 Jun 2009
Acorn User - May 1992		10 Jun 2009
Acorn User - September 1992		17 Jun 2009
Acorn User - July 1997		15 Jul 2009
The Micro User - August 1990 - Vol 8 No 6	The Micro User	27 Oct 2009

Other Systems Related To Acorn BBC Micro Model B:

Item	Manufacturer	Date
Acorn NetStation Proton Xavier	Acorn Computers	Unknown
Acorn 6502 Microcomputer Board	Acorn Computers Ltd	1979
Acorn System 1	Acorn Computers	March 1979
Acorn System 1	Acorn Computers Ltd	March 1979
Acorn System 1 (Chris Turner)	Acorn Computers Ltd	March 1979
Acorn System 3	Acorn	1980
Acorn Atom (Blue Box)	Acorn	1980
Acorn Atom (White Box)	Acorn	1980
Black Acorn Atom	Acorn	January 1980
Acorn BBC Micro Model A (Issue 2 Board)	Acorn Computers Ltd	1981
Acorn BBC Micro Model A - Issue 1	Acorn	1981
Acorn BBC Micro Model B Hong Kong	Acorn	1981
Acorn BBC Micro Model A	Acorn	1981
Busicomputers Prophet 3	Acorn Computers Ltd	1982
Acorn System 4	Acorn Computers Ltd	1982
German BBC Micro (GNB09)	Acorn	1982
Busicomputers Prophet 2	Acorn	1983
Acorn Cambridge Workstation	Acorn	1983
Acorn Business Computer (ABC) (Prototype)	Acorn Computers	1983
Acorn System 5	Acorn Computers Ltd	1983
Acorn Business Computer (ABC 110)	Acorn	1983
Acorn Electron (Trial ROM From Astec)	Acorn Computers Ltd	May 1983
Acorn Electron with Turbo Board	Acorn	July 1983
Acorn Electron (Box with Tile Design)	Acorn	July 1983
Acorn Electron (Production Mock Up)	Acorn Computers Ltd	July 1983
Acorn Electron (Trial ROM)	Acorn Computers Ltd	July 1983
Acorn Electron	Acorn	July 1983
Acorn Electron (German)	Acorn	July 1983
BBC Micro B+ 128K + 48K ROM	Acorn	1984
Acorn BBC Micro Model B+ 64K (Acorn R&D)	Acorn	1984
US BBC Micro (UNB09)	Acorn	October 1984
Acorn BBC Micro Model B+ (128K)	Acorn	July 1985
Acorn BBC Micro Model B+ (64K)	Acorn	July 1985
Acorn Econet Terminal	Acorn Computers Ltd	1986
BBC Master Used on Microlive	Acorn Computers	1986
Acorn BBC Master 512	Acorn	1986
Acorn A500	Acorn	1986
Acorn BBC Domesday System	Acorn Computers Ltd	1986
Acorn BBC Master 128	Acorn	February 1986
Acorn - BT Merlin M2105	Acorn Computers / British Telecom	13th May 1986
Acorn BBC Master Compact	Acorn	September 1986
Acorn BBC Master Compact Prototype	Acorn Computers	September 1986
Acorn Archimedes A410/1	Acorn	1987
Acorn AEH02 Archimedes NSM	Acorn Computers Ltd	1987
Acorn Archimedes 310	Acorn	1987
Acorn Archimedes 305	Acorn	1987
Acorn Archimedes 310 (Arthur 1.2 Installed)	Acorn	1987
Acorn Archimedes 440	Acorn Computers	July 1987
Acorn A680	Acorn	1988
Acorn Archimedes A500	Acorn	1988
Acorn A3000	Acorn	1989
Acorn Archimedes A440/1 Serial No. 1000001	Acorn Computers	May 1989
Acorn Archimedes A440/1	Acorn Computers	May 1989
Acorn A3000 (Learning Curve Box)	Acorn	May 1989
Acorn A3000 (Original Spec)	Acorn Computers	1st May 1989
Acorn A3000 Laservision System	Acorn	1st May 1989
Acorn R140	Acorn	June 1989
Acorn R260	Acorn Computers	1990
Acorn A5000 ALB55	Acorn	1991
Acorn A5000 ALB35	Acorn	1991
Acorn A4000	Acorn	January 1991
Acorn A4 Laptop (Prototype 1 of 7)	Acorn Computers	1992
Acorn A4 Laptop	Acorn	1992
Acorn A3020	Acorn	January 1992
Acorn A4000	Acorn	September 1992
Acorn A3010	Acorn	September 1992
Semerc Acorn A4000S	Acorn	September 1992
Acorn Risc PC 600 Prototype Motherboard	Acorn Computers	1994
Acorn Risc PC 600	Acorn	April 1994
Acorn Risc PC 600 ACB25	Acorn	April 1994
Acorn Risc PC 600 ACB45	Acorn	April 1994
Acorn RISC PC 600 (Proto 6)	Acorn	1995
Acorn RISC PC 600 - Prototype	Acorn Computers	1995
Acorn A7000+	Acorn	1995
Acorn A7000	Acorn	1995
Acorn SchoolServer	Acorn Ltd	1995
Acorn RISC PC700 System	Acorn	July 1995
Acorn Risc PC 600 ACB60	Acorn	July 1995
Acorn StrongARM RiscPC	Acorn	1996
Acorn Stork Notebook	Acorn Computers Ltd	1996
Acorn Xemplar Matrix NC	Acorn	1996
Acorn Fast NC - Serial Number 1	Acorn Computers Ltd	1996
Acorn NetStation NC	Acorn	November 1996
Acorn Phoebe	Acorn Computers	1998
Acorn DeskLite Prototype	Acorn Computers	June 1998

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