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6 April 1984 Mike Ball Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD Dear Mike "I "II; Thanks very much for your letters and the photos and information on the video disc. The Disc unit in G46 looks spectacular! I always did think it would be a photogenic exhibit- perhaps it was a mistake to attempt to get some part of it working, but at least the extra information in the talking label was probably a good idea. I'm sorry to hear about the PDP-8. Jane Bowen did indicate that it wasn't going to work - but I pave yet to discover the real reason. After all the work that went into it, I think it did turn out to be a very interesting piece from many points of view; the program is the best piece of educational software at that level I have seen (forgive this self-aggrandisement). Temperature problems might be helped with a filtered fan ••••• I shall get the video disc made up as per your information. We haven't got that far yet. I have just signed and returned my acceptance of counteroffering; I hope this affair hasn't soured the Trustees - they probably think the staff are a load of truculent fogies. Have you had any contact with them at all yet? How was the party? Progress is frustratingly slow over here. I have got a lot of potential help and support from industry, but no one is racing to deliver the goods. They all think that with an opening still months away they can wait. I have a nice scale model of my 4000 square foot gallery and am playing with model computers and people. It's good to have a chance to get your own ideas straight before getting involved with a designer. I am still short of large 3D objects. I hoped to get a nice piece of wing from the Boeing people- they should be wanting to push their 757 and 767 in public - super-safe, all designed by computer etc, but instead they offered me a cruise missile! Though interesting, I had to say no- there'll be enough military stuff here as it is. I have a handful of equipment promised, but not enough 'soft' material- I mean something that is not a glass screen or a metallic printer. One good find is a woven silk hanging of Jacquard- along with some 19th century drawing instruments, this will be the oldest thing in the gallery. The

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Page 1: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

6 April 1984

Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

Dear Mike

"I "II;

Thanks very much for your letters and the photos and information on the video disc.

The Disc unit in G46 looks spectacular! I always did think it would be a photogenic exhibit- perhaps it was a mistake to attempt to get some part of it working, but at least the extra information in the talking label was probably a good idea.

I'm sorry to hear about the PDP-8. Jane Bowen did indicate that it wasn't going to work - but I pave yet to discover the real reason. After all the work that went into it, I think it did turn out to be a very interesting piece from many points of view; the program is the best piece of educational software at that level I have seen (forgive this self-aggrandisement). Temperature problems might be helped with a filtered fan •••••

I shall get the video disc made up as per your information. We haven't got that far yet.

I have just signed and returned my acceptance of counteroffering; I hope this affair hasn't soured the Trustees - they probably think the staff are a load of truculent fogies. Have you had any contact with them at all yet? How was the party?

Progress is frustratingly slow over here. I have got a lot of potential help and support from industry, but no one is racing to deliver the goods. They all think that with an opening still months away they can wait. I have a nice scale model of my 4000 square foot gallery and am playing with model computers and people. It's good to have a chance to get your own ideas straight before getting involved with a designer.

I am still short of large 3D objects. I hoped to get a nice piece of wing from the Boeing people- they should be wanting to push their 757 and 767 in public - super-safe, all designed by computer etc, but instead they offered me a cruise missile! Though interesting, I had to say no- there'll be enough military stuff here as it is. I have a handful of equipment promised, but not enough 'soft' material- I mean something that is not a glass screen or a metallic printer. One good find is a woven silk hanging of Jacquard- along with some 19th century drawing instruments, this will be the oldest thing in the gallery. The

Page 2: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

subject didn't really get off the ground till the 1960's.

We enjoy living out of town and near the sea. Although any thrill associated with giant malls and 10-lane roads has completely worn off, it remains a very comfortable life. Apart from a near-hurricane last week (which I missed as I was in California) the climate has moderated- today it's crept up to 60F for the first time. Not a green shoot in sight however. Apparently summer arrives from one day to the next.

I hope you and your family are well. I'd be glad to have news when you've got time.

Yours sincerely

Oliver

Page 3: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

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Page 4: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

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Page 6: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

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Page 7: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

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Page 8: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

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Page 9: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

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Page 10: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

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Page 11: 6 April 1984 Mike Ball - Gordon Bellgordonbell.azurewebsites.net/tcmwebpage/CHMfiles/Mike... · 2012-06-12 · 6 April 1984 Mike Ball Scien~e Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD

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