Exhibition 'Flowers to Fibre' in The National Museum of Computing
The joint TNMOC and CMT exhibition Flowers to Fibre takes visitors on a journey through this often overlooked story: from first pilots of the prototype digital exchanges to the planned national switch from copper to fibre after 2025. It shines a light on the stories of those involved, too.
Flowers to Fibre is a hands-on, interactive experience that includes:
- A working example of early Strowger electro-mechanical telephone exchange equipment, that dominated the national phone network and visitors can use to make phone calls.
- Rare examples of components from the early modern exchanges, a prototype of System X digital telephone switching system, and ADSL pilot equipment from the dawn of Britain’s broadband.
- The chance to experience “dial-up internet” today with the technology of the past – a 1990s’ PC/modem.
- Press material from coverage of the GPO’s very first, ground-breaking digital-exchange pilot.
- The chance for those involved in development of Britain’s high-speed phone network to record their stories as part of a new TNMOC archive project.
Visitors can also test their knowledge of Tommy Flowers, telecoms and more through our digital quizzes with STEM activities and competitions for families, schools and colleges.
