28 February 2012
MMU launches Manchester Time Machine
New app brings city's past to life.
Manchester’s past is being brought to life - thanks to a new app from MMU.
The ‘Manchester Time Machine’ takes users on a tour through history as they walk around the city - by using the GPS locator to access archive film of the street where they are standing.
The free app, which is the first in the world to merge film and GPS, allows users to pinpoint a location and watch footage of the place from 40, 70 or even 100 years ago.
Developed by Dr Darren Dancey of Computer Science, the app maps out over 80 highlights of film shot in the city centre; from a Whit walk on Market Street in 1911 to a student demonstration on Oxford Road in the 1970’s.
Bygone age
Using footage from the university’s film archive, this moving window through time shows historical events such as bombings in 1940 and VE day across the city along with glimpses of the buildings, the people and transport of a bygone age.
The archive includes times of celebration; Manchester City bringing the FA Cup home to Piccadilly in 1934, the city saluting the Allies at the end of the war and a royal visit in 1948, and darker times; the bombs of 1940, and a devastating fire at Paulden’s Department store.
As well as a GPS locator, each film is accompanied by background information and a virtual compass to ensure users are oriented in the direction of the film clip.
Marion Hewitt of the North West film archive first had the idea for the Time Machine: “An app seemed a great way to get our amazing collection of films out for people to enjoy and bring the history of the city to life.”
“It’s another first for Manchester - there is no app like it. It will appeal to Mancunians and visitors alike, bringing the historic city streets and iconic buildings to life whether standing in the same position as the camera, or enjoying an iPhone film show over a coffee.”
Expertise
“I knew we had the expertise here at MMU to make it happen”, added Marion.
The faculties of Art and Design and Science and Engineering worked together with the university’s North West Film Archive to develop the app.
Professor Steve Hawley of Art and Design who project managed the app commented: “It’s great to see different faculties coming together on this innovative project.
“It’s a first for the university and a first for Manchester too.”
The app is available now for free download from the Apple iTunes store.
A version for iPad is currently in production and should be ready in a few weeks with an android version to follow.
