Steve Barrett

Broken Tech Broken Earth

BBC Micros: TTP Group Ltd, TTP Campus, Cambridge Rd, Melbourn, Royston SG8 6HQ

Steve Barett grew up near Cambridge in the 70s and was inspired by technology throughout his childhood ever since his dad bought the Tangerine Microtan 65 computer which was designed in Ely. When he was 16 years old, he saved up all his money to buy a BBC Model B along with a TV which was used as a monitor. Steve enjoyed programming the BBC from manuals and magazines which were sold locally by Parean Systems.

These memories stuck with Steve and later contributed to his decision to take computer systems engineering at university. Throughout his career as a software engineer, he worked both locally at companies like TTP but also abroad including in Taiwan, China and France for companies such as Nokia and MStar.

Now Steve has retired and enjoys putting his problem solving and technical skills to use by restoring old computers. Steve shares that “My hobby now is to repair and restore old computers from the 1980s and sell them.  I mainly restore BBC Micros, so it comes full circle!”.

This story was shared by a volunteer as part of the Broken Tech, Broken Earth project which aims to co-create events with the local community about the social, historical and environmental impacts of technology.  This project is externally funded by the Esmeé Fairbairn Collections Fund as part of the Museum Association.

#BBCMicros #Upcycling #CircularEconomy