Left: it's more impressive than a van with a satellite dish on top - the huge 2LO transmitter sends radio waves from London to the whole of the UK.

The first ever radio transmitter used for BBC broadcasts was donated to the Science Museum at a special ceremony on November 7.

It is 80 years since the BBC's first radio transmission, which began by announcing the Conservative party general election victory on the evening of November 14, 1922.

"The 2LO transmitter was there at the birth of the BBC in 1922 - it is truly an icon of our broadcasting history," said Lord Puttnam, CBE, Trustee of the Science Museum.

"It will be conserved by the Science Museum for future generations to marvel at and learn from."

Right: standard attire for any self-respecting British broadcasting chap of the 1920s - Sissons take note.

The original transmitter was named 2LO after the radio-broadcasting license issued by the Post Office and was built by the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company.

As more BBC programmes began broadcasting, such as Children's Hour, the call sign '2LO Calling' became a household phrase.

"Future generations should be able to share what is a fascinating piece of early 20th century technology. We also want them to understand its significance in the development of our broadcasting system, which is held up as a model to the world," said Gavyn Davies, BBC Chairman.

It is hard to imagine now that most people had never heard the sound of their monarch's voice until the transmitter broadcast King George V's speech on his opening of the British Empire exhibition at Wembley.

Left: audio technology before the age of miniaturisation.

Other 2LO broadcast firsts include the first election address by Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald as head of the country's first Labour Government and the first daily weather forecasts.

2LO was located in a studio at the top of Marconi House on the Strand, Central London, one of nine sites initially used to transmit BBC broadcasts throughout the UK. It was replaced in 1925 with a more powerful transmitter.