The answers to each of these questions can be found in the OU Digital Archive – where you can also explore online exhibitions, browse a collection of OU historical photographs and delve into the Archive catalogue. This quiz was compiled by University Archivist Ruth Cammies.
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1 UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson famously introduced his idea of a “University of the Air” in his ‘white heat of technology’ speech in which year?
The Open University Archive From left to right, Mary Wilson, Sam Crooks, Harold Wilson and OU Vice Chancellor Walter Perry view OU module materials.
HINT: You may find the answer to this question in the OU Story exhibition.
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1960
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1963
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1966
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2 Jennie Lee was instrumental in the creation of The Open University. She became an MP at 24 years old for North Lanarkshire in 1929 and later was the first Minister for the Arts. But during the Second World War, in what area of war work did Lord Beaverbrook offer Jennie ‘a more responsible role within his department’?
The Open University Archive Jennie Lee at the foundation stone event for the OU Library in 1973
HINT: Explore Jennie Lee’s life and archive collection in this online exhibition. Note – each exhibition theme may have multiple pages – use the “next page” button at the bottom right of the screen to move to the next page.
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Barrage Balloon Production
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The Land Army
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Rationing
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3 The Headquarters of the Open University are in Milton Keynes. The campus is located on the site of the estate of Walton Hall – which also includes St Michael’s Church. During restoration work in the 1970s a piece of nineteenth century glass was discovered in the church – on which was scratched the name of a glazier who lived in nearby Stony Stratford. What was his name?
The Open University Archive St Michael’s church on the OU campus in Milton Keynes
HINT: You can explore the pre-OU history of Walton Hall in this online exhibition - the Nineteenth Century theme may prove useful for this question!
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William Ellis
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Algernon Edward Tollemache
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John Jefcoate
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4 In what year did His Majesty the King (then Prince Charles) visit the OU campus and receive an honorary degree?
The Open University Archive Prince Charles walking with the OU Vice Chancellor John Horlock
HINT: Try searching for “Prince Charles” in the main OU Digital Archive search bar.
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1979
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1982
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1987
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5 The Open University Archive includes collections relating to the history of the OU, and also collections supporting research. One such collection is the Sampson Low ‘signature books’ containing over 200 samples of client’s letters of the publishing company Sampson Low. What is the date of the Florence Nightingale letter in the collection?
The Open University Archive The Sampson Low collection held in the OU Archive.
HINT: Visit the Sampson Low online exhibition. You might find Florence Nightingale in the “Educators, Philanthropists & Clergy” theme.
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10th March 1840
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17th June 1850
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3rd November 1860
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6 The OU Students Association was created in 1972 to represent OU Students. In what year did the Association set up OUSET – the Open University Students Educational Trust?
The Open University Archive Students at an OUSET event.
HINT: Explore the history of the OU Students Association in this online exhibition. You may find the answer you need in the theme “Strides towards positive change…”
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1975
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1982
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1990
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7 Every year the OU holds graduation ceremonies across the country. The ceremonies collection on the Digital Archive includes most of the ceremonies from 2014 onwards and selected ceremonies going back to the 1970s. What was the location of the ceremony held on Wednesday 8th June 2022?
The Open University Archive An OU Graduate at a graduation.
HINT: Browse the ceremonies collection at in this online exhibition.
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Birmingham
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Glasgow
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Gateshead
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8 Student Hub Live is a series of live, online and interactive events for OU students. The full archive of over 800 Student Hub Live sessions, including advice and guidance on study skills, student life and the academic journey, is available on the OU Digital Archive. What is the title of the session recorded on the 20th September 2022?
Student Hub Live logo
HINT: Browse the Student Hub Live collection.
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(re)Freshers Orientation. Welcome to the OU and Finding your way around
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Introducing W101
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Meet the members of the Central Academic Team
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9 In what year was Baroness Betty Boothroyd installed as the Chancellor of the Open University?
The Open University Archive Baroness Betty Boothroyd, in her Open University Chancellor robes.
HINT: You might find the answer in the Betty Boothroyd online exhibition.
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1990
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1995
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2000
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10 In the 1980s, the OU designed computing tools which were sent out to students and also to schools. One such tool was the DESMOND – but what did DESMOND stand for?
The Open University Archive An OU DESMOND computing tool.
HINT: Search for DESMOND in the main search box of the OU Digital Archive on the home page – The full programme isn’t available to watch – so you may need to look at a clip (in the clips tab of the full programme record) to find what the initials stand for.
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Data Engineering Storage Matrix ON Demand
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Digital Electronic System Made Of Nifty Devices
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Discrete Event Simulation Machine for Open Numerical Data
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The Open University Archive Freshers Quiz
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