1. What Was the BBC Micro?

The BBC Micro was an 8-bit home computer developed by Acorn Computers in 1981, as part of the BBC Computer Literacy Project in the UK. It was designed to promote computer education and was widely adopted in schools across Britain, becoming an iconic part of 1980s computing history.

Its durable build, versatile programming capabilities, and strong backing by the British Broadcasting Corporation made it a classroom essential for over a decade.

2. Key Features of the BBC Micro

• Powered by 6502 CPU: a fast and efficient processor for its time, running at 2 MHz.
• Built-in BBC BASIC: a powerful and easy-to-learn programming language that encouraged coding from day one.
• Expandable ports: included cassette, printer, RGB, and user ports for various peripherals and devices.
• High-resolution graphics: supported multiple video modes for text and color graphics.
• Robust OS: modular operating system with support for disk filing and ROM expansion.

3. Educational Impact

• Adopted nationwide: present in most UK schools throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
• Inspired future developers: taught a generation of kids how to code, create, and think computationally.
• Foundation for ARM: Acorn’s development of RISC architecture on the BBC Micro would lead to the ARM chips we use today.

4. Legacy and Enthusiast Community

The BBC Micro remains one of the most respected educational computers ever made. Its influence continues through retro computing communities and modern reinterpretations of BBC BASIC and ARM legacy.

• Still used in education: BBC BASIC survives in web versions and modern software.
• Preserved digitally: games and software archived and emulated online.
• Hardware clones: new boards and kits recreate the BBC Micro for learning and nostalgia.