New Media Behind the Iron Curtain: Cultural History of Video, Microcomputers and Satellite Television in Communist Poland

Description

During the years of the Polish People’s Republic, Poles were cut off from the western world. Travel was restricted, as was access to outside culture and goods. This unique situation led to a period of great ingenuity in the realm of new media. Not only were media adapted to suit Poles’ needs, but new technology was fashioned to gain access to western television, film and video games. Bringing people together, VCRs, computers and satellite television were thus a window to the outside world and contemporary to the mobilisation of Solidarity and the end of communism. As such, their diffusion is an important but largely overlooked aspect of Poland’s history. Acutely aware of this, the authors of this book recount new media behind the Iron Curtain in a way that will appeal to scholars and non-academic readers alike. Coupling archival research with in depth interviews, they bring to life the talent and determination of the PPR’s new media pioneers, compelling others to dig further. Cover Editorial Page Contents Acknowledgements Foreword Part I. Piotr Sitarski NEW MEDIA AND THE FALLOF THE POLISH PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC Introduction Media in the society New media Extra-systemic media practices The diffusion of new media in the Polish People’s Republic Bibliography Part II. Piotr Sitarski VIDEO IN THE POLISH PEOPLE’SREPUBLIC: TECHNOLOGYAND ITS USERS The beginnings of video technology Early conceptualisations of video technology in Poland The videotape format war and the cultural adaptationof the videocassette player Videocassette players in the 80s: users and sources of origin Distribution development: sources of films and the emergenceof Polish-language cassette editions Cassette cinema Video exhibition circuits Science fiction fan clubs The Catholic Church Conclusion: the decline of cassette cinema and the birthof the video rental shops Bibliography Part III. Maria B. Garda MICROCOMPUTING REVOLUTIONIN THE POLISH PEOPLE’S REPUBLICIN THE 1980S Introduction Methodology and review of the current state of research On two sides of the Iron Curtain Top-down and bottom-up computerisation Breakthrough of domestication Hobbyist movement Conclusion Acknowledgments Bibliography Part IV. Krzysztof Jajko TELEVISION FROM THE SKYFOR EVERYONE Cosmic television in Poland The importers The Antenna Guys Cable television to the best of our possibilities The satellite promised land A window to the world for Poland B A guide to the cosmos of television Bibliography INDEX