On 23 November 1963 the first Doctor Who episode was screened on British TV. Running for almost 30 years, Doctor Who had to face fierce opposition from within the BBC and it only narrowly missed being axed after its first season when questions about the Daleks and their terrifying effects on children were asked in the House. This book provides a record of these early years, providing an insight into a production process very different from the sophisticated studio methods of today, and tells some of the internal political wrangling at the BBC. Actors, directors and crew recall their contributions in a decade which saw the development of colour broadcasting and the move from primitive one-take studio sets to more elaborate location filming. The technical and creative processes are examined, revealing that many of the effects that were to become hallmarks of the series came about only by accident, and showing how episodes would often be patched together as budgets dictated the way stories would develop.