Thr BBC Micro was famously used in schools throughout the 1980s. What could it communicate with people from the 16th century or even the far future?
The so-called Dodleston Messages concern a house built in the site of an old farmhouse, where a couple and their lodger lived.
Between 1984 and 1986, they borrowed a BBC Micro from the school where they worked. Equipped with the Edword chip for word-processing, the computer suddenly started relaying messages from the past… And the future.
In 1984 something strange happened in the village of Dodleston. A BBC Micro was sitting on a counter, when it suddenly started receiving mysterious messages, which appeared to come from the 16th century. This might have gone unnoticed had local teachers, Ken Webster and Peter Trinder, not investigated to find that information was so accurate, it would be almost impossible to fake.
This whole event was documented in the book “The Vertical Plane”, published in 1989. But here, tonight, we investigate deep to find out exactly what this is all about.
Undoubtedly a hoax, but who was behind it? Was the Edword chip preprogrammed? Did one of the householders plan and execute an elaborate prank that got out of control?
Whatever the truth, a humble BBC Micro is at the heart of it all. Learn more by watching the superb documentary advice, by YouTuber Nostalgia Nerd.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
