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• ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive looks back on the election night favourite – the Swingometer
• Brand new Swingometer unveiled, as the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ reveals the past 50 years of this iconic election night invention
• Jeremy Vine is the new "master of swing" as the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ gears up for election night 2010

As the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ reveals the brand new Swingometer for this year's General Election, a new online collection from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive tells the story of that iconic pollster favourite, the Swingometer.

Since its national debut in 1959, the Swingometer has provided a simple way of showing changes in voter support from one party to another. It has now become an integral feature of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's televised election night broadcast.

As part of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's comprehensive election night coverage, Jeremy Vine will be using the latest graphic technology to analyse the big picture with the greatest-ever Swingometer for the first time on a general election.

The Swingometer has developed from a simple cardboard prop to a chance to unveil the very latest in computer graphics. But whether it is constructed digitally or with drawing pins, the Swingometer has always been a firm favourite with viewers and the unveiling of the latest version has become a much-anticipated event in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's election coverage.

Jeremy Vine, the new master of the Swingometer said: "At every general election since the first one I watched in 1974, I can remember straining for a glimpse of the swingometer. It went from a bit of wood on a nail to a hi-tech visual extravaganza – but always with the same purpose. To make clear the general picture from all the particular results in constituencies.

"I have watched Peter Snow for years and admire his enthusiasm and mastery of detail hugely. He has handed me the car keys and, as a political junkie, I am hugely excited to be in the studio for my first general election with the swingometer."

Roly Keating, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Director, Archive Content, said: "The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive is unique in its ability to provide insight into the cultural and political developments that shaped the 20th century. On election night we take it for granted that the Swingometer will be keeping us up to date as the results unfold and I think audiences will enjoy looking back to see how this all began."

This new online collection of television and radio programmes from the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archives looks back at the men who became the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's sultans of swing, including Robert McKenzie and Peter Snow, and recalls some famous moments in election history.

This new collection will be available online from April 19 and can be found by visiting bbc.co.uk/archive.

Notes to Editors

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive "Swingometer – The pollster's favourite pendulum" collection includes nine television clips and an image gallery. Highlights include:

The moment in the 1970 election when an extra section had to be hastily painted onto the Swingometer to cope with an unexpectedly dramatic swing

Footage of the Swingometer in action during the dramatic 1979 and 1997 elections

Profiles of election mavericks Robert McKenzie and David Butler

Footage of Peter Snow at the helm of the high-tech Swingometer

Two generations of Dimbleby hosting proceedings and providing some necessary moments of calm

Images from behind the scenes on election night

About ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive is one of the largest multimedia archives in the world, held in 27 locations across the UK. As well as close to a million hours of TV and radio programmes it also holds 6 million still photographs, over 4 million items of sheet music and over half-a-million documents and records.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive website allows you to explore over 80 years of UK and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ history. Programmes, documents and images bring the past to life and reveal forgotten stories, available to UK audiences. For more information, visit: bbc.co.uk/archive.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News

On election night the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ will provide comprehensive results coverage for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TV and radio, for local programmes, and for the election website bbc.co.uk/election.

DM/FS