WHAT IS CEEFAX?

Ceefax (a play on "see facts") was the world's first teletext service, launched by the BBC in 1974. For nearly 40 years, it was a fixture in British homes, providing news, weather, sports scores, and entertainment at the press of a button.

THE BIRTH OF CEEFAX

Developed by BBC engineers in the early 1970s, Ceefax used the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the television signal to transmit data. Users could access pages by typing three-digit numbers on their remote control. It was revolutionary - instant information without waiting for a news bulletin.

WHAT COULD YOU FIND?

News headlines, weather forecasts, TV listings, lottery results, travel updates, and of course - football scores. PAGE 302 became legendary among football fans, with its real-time scoreline updates that rivalled being at the ground.

THE END OF AN ERA

When the UK switched from analogue to digital broadcasting, Ceefax was switched off on 23 October 2012. The final page was fittingly PAGE 888 (subtitles), and many mourned the loss of this beloved service.

THE LEGACY

Ceefax pioneered the concept of on-demand information. Its influence can be seen in modern news tickers, smartphone notifications, and apps like QFAX that pay homage to its distinctive aesthetic.