Abstract: The program opens with a film of the firing of a rocket and its subsequent high altitude photos charting the structure of a storm Lynn Poole shows a model of an early twentieth century satellite and notes its increasing importance in meteorology Dr George Benton Johns Hopkins University professor of meteorology displays a chart of satellites distance above the earths atmosphere and another chart of the electromagnetic spectrum Dr Sigmund Fritz a meteorologist with the US Weather Bureau lists the advantages of a satellite in weather forecasting including its high vantage point rapid mobility and broad coverage over the globe Dr William Kellogg a meteorologist with the Rand Corp describes the typical orbits of satellites launched from Cape Canaveral explaining why an elliptical orbit is generally preferable but a circular one is best for a weather satellite He also says that the higher the satellites elevation the longer it will take to circle the earth but the longer the satellites lifespan as well Dr Fritz stresses the technological problems that need to be overcome before satellites can become more useful tools stabilization to make it constantly look down transmission interpretation and distribution of collected data and measurement of cloud reflectivity The satellites benefits to meteorology will include wide range cloud detection measurement of the heat balances that drive the storms and measurement of radiation balance over land and water by latitude Visuals include a time lapse film of gathering thunderclouds from the ground and 22 miles up a photo of cloud cover over the entire eastern seaboard from 86 miles up and an artistic rendition of how the earth might look from 4000 miles up by Harry Wexler of the US Weather Bureau
Date Published: 1959-05-03
Abstract: Dr Milton S Eisenhower president of the Johns Hopkins University opens the show by explaining the 1701 replica model of the universe the symbol of this oldest TV series on air Assisted by costumed reenactors Sidney Painter professor of history at Johns Hopkins describes the history of the Middle Ages the life of knights and the development of the feudal system William the Norman spread the feudal system to AngloSaxon England where King John disregarded feudal customs Dr Painter tells how the Articles of the Barons based on feudal law were drafted by Stephen Langdon Archbishop of Canterbury granted under duress by John at Runneymeade in 1215 and ultimately revised into the Magna Carta guaranteeing liberty to freemen and the Church of England and limiting the kings powers
Date Published: 1959-10-11
Abstract: Johns Hopkins history professor Charles A Barker describes the characteristics and beliefs of Henry David Thoreau one of the Transcendentalists in Concord MA The narrator enumerates Thoreaus life events including his isolation at Walden Pond and Emersons influence on him Dr Carl Bode English professor at the University of Maryland analyzes Thoreaus 26month Walden venture and suggests that Thoreau was experiencing the cycle of withdrawal and return as described by Arnold Toynbee Dr Barker discusses Thoreaus animosity towards his peers and his polemic essays such as the 1849 Essay on Civil Disobedience and the 1859 A Plea for Captain John Brown his last outburst of creative energy Individualistic and dogmatic to the end Thoreau died of tuberculosis in 1862 Actor Ed Golden portrays Thoreau and recites lines written by him to underscore the scholars comments
Date Published: 1960-05-08
Abstract: Johns Hopkins University chemistry professor John H Andrews demonstrates that all matter vibrates in harmonic wave patterns He begins by using an oscilloscope and slow motion camera to show a plucked harp strings fundamental vibration at 64 times per second and its harmonics at a faster vibration He compares this with the twodimensional vibration of a drum membrane also viewed on the slow motion camera and oscilloscope Dr Andrews then progresses to the threedimensional wavelength of a sphere and notes that different and more complex harmonic patterns are based on the shape of the object Since no two statues are alike their wave patterns are all unique as evidenced when a gadget taps them repetitively and their sound is recorded on magnetic tape Dr Andrews slows the tape to hear specific sounds and compares this to slowing a LP record on a record player from high speed to the proper speed to make the words recognizable He explains that the aggregate vibration of the whole statue is based on its external shape like atomic and molecular vibration He points out that the formula for entropy the measurement of the complexity of harmonic pattern is the same as the formula for information theory the measurement of the amount of information in a communication Thus a statue has high information value because its complex external shape gives it a high shape entropy and it communicates more meaning This concept has implications for the communication values of modern v classical art
Date Published: 1959-03-22
Abstract: Lynn Poole uses film clips sketches and photos to discuss preColumbian discoveries of the new world In the seventh century BC the Phoenicians circumnavigated Africa and may have sailed to the Azores and Canary Islands They were followed by the Celts who journeyed to Iceland and Greenland according to accounts by St Brendan who set sail from Ireland between 565573 and encountered a crystal column in the sea either an iceberg or glacier He also possibly sailed to the Azores and Canaries and possibly to Mexico since Cortez discovered in 1519 that the Aztecs celebrated a blend of paganism and Christianity and spoke of Quetzalcoatl a legendary white priest The Vikings or Norse also migrated to Iceland in 874 Around 900 they discovered Vitramannaland or white mans land possibly an Irish settlement in North America In 930 Gunnbjorn discovered Greenland and in 982 Erik the Red colonized it Bjarni Herjulfsson blown off course explored part of the American coast unknowingly in 985 Leif Erikson also sailed along the shores of the American continent and established a colony named Vinland the Good its exact location disputed Other evidence of preColumbian Viking discovery includes maps and the existence of the stone Newport Tower in Rhode Island Edmund Plowden referred to the tower in a 1632 petition but this may have been elsewhere than Newport Additional exploration included that of Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524 the Venetian expedition in 1398 described in The Zeno Narrative and the Portuguese discovery of Newfoundland in 1450 and Labrador in 1492
Date Published: 1959-04-26
Abstract: Lynn Poole summarizes some of the fourteen areas of activities taking place during the International Geophysical Year IGY 7157 123058 aurora and airglow cosmic rays geomagnetism meteorology solar activity glaciography gravity ionospherics longitude and latitude oceanography rocketry satellites seismology and world days IGY was timed to coincide with the high point of the elevenyear cycle of sunspot activity A few of the highlights include Dr William Markowitzs Moon Camera for measuring precise time the use of the sea gravimeter to record changes in the earths gravity Dr Harry Wexlers US expedition to Antarctica to study atmospheric circulation and other meteorological phenomena a recording of whistlers or low frequency radio signals caused by lightning flashes John Simpsons study of primary and secondary cosmic rays the use of the BakerNunn satellite tracking camera and Dr James Van Allens Explorer I orbiting satellite
Date Published: 1958-12-28
Abstract: On this Easter Sunday program Lynn Poole and art professor Adolf Katzenellenbogen discuss Christs resurrection and its depiction in early art Dr Katzenellenbogen notes that the event is generally presented in three ways symbolically indirectly and directly He and Mr Poole analyze the elements of a symbolic stone relief The indirect depiction shows the three holy women visiting the spice merchant andor the sepulcher Actors perform a typical Easter drama of this event and Dr Katzenellenbogen compares a painting fresco and woodcut of the similar scene Christ rising from the tomb is the direct portrayal of the resurrection Dr Katzenellenbogen discusses a series of paintings by artists Piero della Francesca Giovanni Bellini and Matthias Grunewald in historical sequence indicating how the landscape in the scenes becomes progressively more real and the light and darkness more contrasted Paul Hindemans Grunewaldinspired music closes the program
Date Published: 1959-03-29
Abstract: In this final program of a threepart series Robert Neathery Director of the Science Museum of Philadelphias Franklin Institute discusses the possibility of life on Mars by first defining the needs of life as we know it water oxygen food moderate temperatures adaptation to gravitational forces and protection from radiation He then gives the history of Mars from Francesco Fontanas 1636 drawing of the planet to Christian Huygens comments on possible inhabitants of Mars and Giovanni Schiaparellis 1877 observation of Marss channels mistakenly translated as canals by others Mr Neathery describes a diagram of the planets orbit between 195671 indicating its nearness to the earth every 15 years Aerology or the study of the features of Mars is done with telescope spectroscope thermocouple and camera and reveals polar caps that wax and wane and a reddish color thought to be desert covering 75 of the planets surface Dr Neathery shows a cactus in a bell jar containing nitrogen argon carbon dioxide and oxygen in proportions considered similar to those in the Martian atmosphere and compares it to a cactus plant outside the jar He also uses balloons filled with nitrogen or helium to demonstrate the escape velocity of gravity on earth as compared to the lower surface gravity on Mars Because oxygen is nearly nonexistent on Mars the temperatures are extreme and its unclear whether chlorophyll exists on the planet Dr Neathery concludes that Mars is inhospitable to life as we know it However he is certain that mans curiosity will take him there The trip will take eight months and an artists rendition shows what will be seen upon landing Dr Neathery laments that the publics belief in Orson Welless 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast is a sad commentary on their understanding of science
Date Published: 1960-01-17
Abstract: This program considers the stories of love courtship and marriage in Appalachia as told through folk songs Virgil Sturgill sings Sourwood Mountain accompanied by Mike Seeger on banjo Elwil Hughes strums a mountain dulcimer as she sings Lonesome Dove In the duet Mountaineers Courtship with Hughes Seeger plays the autoharp and Sturgill comments on the lyrics Seeger sings The Wedding Dress with banjo accompaniment and Aggravate Your Soul with guitar Sturgill plucks a mountain dulcimer and sings Devilish Mary Seeger on guitar sings Everyday Dirt The ensemble concludes with Wish I Was Single Again and Careless Love
Date Published: 1960-05-01
Abstract: The Johns Hopkins University president Milton S Eisenhower introduces this program about the Fund for Adult Education an independent philanthropic organization sponsored by the Ford Foundation to extend liberal education to adults He explains that as a society becomes more complex its need for good leaders increases Charles H Percy president of the Bell and Howell Co and chairman of the board for the Fund describes leadership in the United States and public responsibility of its citizens He points out that particularly because we now have the power to destroy ourselves the future of society depends on the effectiveness of key people in organizations leadership roles The president of the Fund C Scott Fletcher says that leadership comes from a multiple fluid society offering a constant supply of fresh people with new ideas A short film shows how uneducated leaders in a village are unable to meet the challenge of change and take a longrange view Harry A Bullis director of the Fund explains that leadership training is available to Armed Forces staff and at most private organizations but top government employees only receive on the job training via trial and error often at the publics expense The Fund intends to prepare such individuals for public responsibilities President of Vassar College and vicechair of the Funds board Sarah Gibson Blanding describes leadership in Thomas Jeffersons days and how it developed as society became more complex While there are opportunities for many types of training adult leadership training is lacking She reiterates that continuing liberal adult education is necessary Leaders must be educated to be dedicated courageous and imaginative Mr Percy concludes that the threat of Soviet Russia and its success with communism will exist for a long time so we must educate our leaders as efficiently as they do theirs He suggests noncommercial educational television as a possible education vehicle In closing Lynn Poole offers a free copy of the Funds booklet The Great Awakening to the viewing audience
Date Published: 1959-05-17
Abstract: Lynn Poole discusses the history of and variety of calendars including Edmund Osbornes scenic calendars Benjamin Franklins Poor Richards Almanac the evolution of calendar girls from 1899 to present the perpetual calendar Stonehenge as a calendar and a deck of cards representing a calendar He also explains how primitive man reckoned time the Babylonian astrologers influence and the origins of sennight and fortnight Words for the days of the week in French Italian and AngloSaxon reflect their origins in the Romans naming of days for the moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn and the sun Years can be considered as anomalistic tropical or sidereal The tropical year is explained with a globe and photographers lamp as the earth orbits around the sun from vernal equinox to vernal equinox every 3652422 days requiring a leap year day to catch up Calendars based on the moon are soon out of sync with the seasons as theyre based on the 295day lunar month which is why the dates of Passover and Easter fluctuate Mr Poole displays an American Indian lunar calendar drawn on buckskin for the period 18651892 Julius Caesar abandoned the lunar calendar and decreed that the year would run from vernal equinox to vernal equinox however by 1582 this Julian calendar was off by ten days and Pope Gregory decreed the Gregorian calendar still used today
Date Published: 1959-12-27
Abstract: This program first in a series of six about men who changed the world shows the impact of Sigmund Freuds ideas on our lives Lynn Poole briefly discusses Freuds early work with Joseph Breuer who used hypnosis to treat patients with hysteria This led to Freuds version of psychoanalysis He believed that the human personality was composed of the conscious and unconscious mind and that impressions in childhood predominantly sexual which the conscious mind refused to accept became neuroses in the unconscious mind Freuds publications affected all disciplines as evidenced in the reading of a stream of consciousness passage from James Joyces Ulysses The impact was similar in art works such as Salvador Dalis Persistence of Memory and Yves Tanguys Mama Papa is Wounded Freuds influence on poetry is proven by comparing love poetry written by William Wordsworth in 1804 with that of W H Auden written in 1958 Freuds mark on child rearing is apparent when compared to recent works on the subject
Date Published: 1959-01-04
Abstract: Lynn Poole describes the two formative revolutions during John Lockes lifetime 16321704 the Puritan Revolution and the Glorious Revolution Costumed actors examine Lockes ideas on government that led to his 1690 publication of Two Treatises of Government on natural rights theory and the social contract Locke argued that all governments are a contract between the governing and governed and that the government rests on the consent of the governed Lynn Poole reads from Lockes A Letter Concerning Toleration a religious tract Subsequent acted scenes show Lockes later influence a 1750 rationalist claims the most influential works are the Bible and Lockes publishings such as Some Thoughts Concerning Education and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding a 1776 American patriot demonstrates how Lockes political ideas are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and a 1789 Frenchman explains how Lockes concepts were expanded by Voltaire
Date Published: 1959-01-25
Abstract: Dr George Carter geology professor at Johns Hopkins University shows a talking board discovered in 1868 on Easter Island and discusses previous attempts to decipher its symbols called rongorongo as writing or decoration A film clip of Byrds expedition party visiting the stone statues on Easter Island sets the scene Bishop Tepano Jaussen of Tahiti was the first person to investigate this mystery and he ultimately published a dictionary of identified glyphs in 1898 He was followed by Thomas Crafts who concluded that the symbols were just decorations William J Thomson who attempted unsuccessfully to have a story board translated Bishop Claessens who reported that figures on an island in the Seychelles were similar to the rongorongo Lacouperie who discovered seals in south India similar to the Easter Island symbols and William Hevesy who pointed out the similarities of seals excavated in the Indus Valley to forms on Easter Island
Date Published: 1959-02-22
Abstract: Lynn Poole and Dr John Woodburn with the Masters in Teaching program at Johns Hopkins University interview five students about their winning Science Fair projects Roger Roberts demonstrates his computerprogrammed logical mouse in a maze Wayne Grimm discusses zonal distribution of land snails of Maryland Ann Taylor experiments with radioactivity measurement in the dials of a clock John Clauser demonstrates his electronic interceptor computer and Jeannie Hodges discusses her study of goose pimples Mr Poole also talks with the 1950 National Science Fair winner Dominic Edelen who is now a design specialist in the manned satellite division of Martin Co in Baltimore Md
Date Published: 1959-04-12
