Room 16
MAVIS (1975-1981)
The first portable computer system aimed at disabled people that covered creativity, communication, leisure and environmental control: The Microprocessor Audio-Visual Information System.
Backed by the UK government, this pioneering British computer deserves to be remembered.
MAVIS II computer system (circa 1979)
Room 16 Exhibits
No MK II Ferranti or original Mk I MAVIS machines have survived to the best of my research. However, in 2026, data was retrieved from original MAVIS data cassettes, including all four games. These have been simulated, although the matrix system is not implemented yet. Use a switch set to SPACE BAR to play TARGET. Will work with an On Screen Keyboard too.
GAMES
• Play MAVIS games
• Stardot: MAVIS tape recovery
• MAVIS emulator download
• Information Technology for the Disabled (1982 - NPL/DoI IT82 film - via PeriscopeFilm archive)
• MAVIS YouTube playlist
VARIOUS
• OCR version of 1981 Aids Book
• Fuzzypeg Goes to School
• Dr Julia Schofield MBE and tribute
• Dr Christopher Evans
• Reginald Maling
• New Worlds 1969 - Scans and Game
• Crash
• National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
• Credits
• Disclaimer
• One Switch 100 Home
MAVIS ENDS. BBC MICRO ERA STARTS.
• BBC Micro AT (see SPOC)
• 1981 Parliament "Micros in Schools"
• 1981 New Scientist "MAVIS stymied"
MUSIC
• Spotify
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