Abstract: Leonardo da Vinci first developed the odometer for measuring distance the jack for lifting heavy objects and the pile driver He did not have modern power sources or advanced mathematics but used his remarkable intuition and observation to make many scientific discoveries including gears cutting tools lathes bridge trusses clocks sawmills and hydraulics Excerpts from the film Leonardo da Vinci from Pictura Films Corporation are shown highlighting the many artistic and scientific developments from his notebooks including models of flying machines catapults cannons guns and tanks
Date Published: 1953-10-14
Abstract: In 1891 Hilaire Chardonnet developed rayon the first man made fiber from natural cellulose In 1938 the first truly synthetic fiber nylon was developed by creating fiber like macromolecules Adipic acid and hexanethaline diamine combined with water to create nylon salt The water is evaporated until the long molecules hook up into long fibers to create nylon yarn Fabrics are tested for crease resistance stiffness resilience and wear Sometimes they are combined with natural fibers to form stronger blends
Date Published: 1953-05-06
Abstract: This program offers viewers an xray of a beating heart and its sounds from a stethoscope Dr Russell H Morgan uses a model to describe the construction and function of the heart and its arteries veins and chambers An animation shows the flow of blood through the heart In a filmed sequence a patient is injected with uricon so that a slowmotion xray view of his blood can be seen passing through his heart and lungs
Date Published: 1954-03-10
Abstract: This program deals with electroencephalography recording impulses from the brain Dr Walker explains the parts of the brain and a diagram of nerve cells discharging impulses Lights on a model of a human head indicate brain activity under differing conditions Dr Marshall demonstrates how eighteen electrodes are attached to the scalp to record brain waves during an EEG electroencephalogram and notes that this is simply a diagnostic tool He explains the EEG machine and shows the graph produced by the output of its amplifiers Dr Marshall then explains what constitutes a normal brain wave based on comparing the voltage and rhythm of a large sampling of medically normal people Dr Walker compares several EEG records with differing patterns and Dr Marshall explains the significance of the differences including one lengthy EEG from a patient having an epileptic seizure
Date Published: 1954-03-24
Abstract: The stereoscope was a popular entertainment and educational object in use in the late 19th century Stereovision or 3D is the natural way that we see nature since we see two images one with each eye that are processed into one image in the brain When we look at pictures we coordinate the image with what we see in real life Cameras can be arranged to simulate this effect 3D effects can be used in aerial photography xrays microscopes astronomy eye therapy and testing drivers vision Television production companies are working on the development of 3D television
Date Published: 1953-09-09
Abstract: In this unhosted and noncredited program photography is defined as a graphic record of light or radiant energy Chemical development makes a photograph into a visible image Scientific uses of photography include many military applications including rocket research airplane instrumentation ship hull performance and underwater sound The growth and structure of matter is tracked on film as well as blood flow and cosmic rays Photography provides a visual record on scientific research and experimentation
Date Published: 1953-07-29
Abstract: Sleep is a complete cessation of movement and a depression in sensitivity to stimulation It is initiated by internal bodily functions and not by external forces A person who is asleep is able to be aroused There are various levels of sleep from deep sleep to drowsiness Eletroencephalography can show the effects of patterns of sleep Research in sleep and the lack of sleep are ongoing
Date Published: 1953-10-21
Abstract: The transistor is a object used in electrical circuits that acts as a valve to control the flow of energy and power of electricity Developed at Bell Laboratories the transistor has low power requirements and can be powered by batteries Transistors amplify sound and are used in microphones telephones hearing aids and radios Mr Leland Watson of Maico Hearing Instruments discusses how the hearing aid was the first commercial application of the transistor and how it has led to the miniaturization of the hearing aid
Date Published: 1953-03-30
Abstract: A U S Forest Service film shows a forests natural enemies fire and destructive insects such as the spruce bark beetle Mr Mann further elaborates on the natural enemies of wood by including fungi insects such as termites and marine borers such as gribbles and displays examples of damage done by each He says that for wood preservatives to be useful they must be poisonous to destructive organisms but not to humans or animals permanent noncorrosive and inexpensive He then discusses the chemicals in the creosote oilborne and waterborne preservatives Mr Warnes compares the strength and fire retardation of treated and untreated wood and explains why treated wood is noncombustible He further demonstrates a cylinder that pressure treats wood with preservative and notes that the primary markets for such wood are railroad crossties poles and crossarms fenceposts and other farmrelated uses and housing An industry film shows the detailed process of pressure creosoting large quantities of wood
Date Published: 1954-05-13
Abstract: Mr Contini briefly explains both a film about photosynthesis and a pictorial history of solar energy including Heros solar devices in Egypt Frank Schumans 1910 solar pump for irrigation C G Abbotts solar flash boilers and Felix Trombes solar ovens for industrial uses Dr Telkes shows photos of a solarheated house in Massachusetts and explains a diagram of its operation and a graph of its chemical storage method She refers to recent books on energy sources of the future by Palmer C Putnam and Eugene Ayres Dr Telkes displays the experimental solar oven she has designed for primitive civilizations in the tropics and a film shows the ovens success in baking rolls Solar stills are useful for desalination of salt water according to Dr Telkes She refers to a large one built by Charles Wilson in Chile and demonstrates a stills use with a simple model She notes that the US Dept of Interiors saline water programs goal is to convert arid lands through solar still irrigation
Date Published: 1954-06-03
Abstract: Lynn Poole explains that microscope is from the two Greek words mikros small and skopos a watcher He notes that Dutch Antony Van Leeuwenhoek and English Robert Hooke were both instrumental in the development of the instrument and that Charles A Spencer was Americas first microscope maker Dr Schwartz using the RCA Vidicon a microscope connected to a television monitor shows slides of water specimens from ponds in New York and New Jersey The organisms he identifies include onecelled blepharisma and stentor which he compares to the multicelled rotifer the plant spirogyra diatoms and the beating heart of a daphnia or water flea Dr Schwartz also shows a replica of Van Leeuwenhoeks microscope and his drawings of bacteria and he demonstrates how to make a slide for viewing
Date Published: 1953-08-05
Abstract: BBC Producer Andrew MillerJones introduces this second exchange program produced in Baltimore and sent to Great Britain Johns Hopkins Universitys Applied Physics Lab sponsored by the Navys Bureau of Ordinance is featured Dr Gibson discusses cosmic rays and instruments used to do research on the effects of high altitude flying Mr Riblet explains how telemetering works and shows instruments used to transmit information from a distance Mr MillerJones exhibits cameras developed by Clyde T Holiday to take photos in outer space and some of the pictures and films taken by these cameras A chart shows the current maximum altitude of flight nearly 80000 feet and the effects of altitude on pilots A pilot tests the U S Air Forcedeveloped pressure suit and pictures show the US Navy fullpressure suit
Date Published: 1953-04-13
Abstract: Scientific research often requires specially made equipment The glass blower can make intricate apparatuses designed to exacting specifications that are used in scientific laboratories for specific research purposes Master glass blower John Lehman demonstrates this by making a hydrogenation apparatus that can turn vegetable oils into solid shortening The first cathode ray tubes used in early television were created by glass blowers
Date Published: 1952-09-29
Abstract: In this second in a series of programs on space exploration Francis Clauser discusses how Newtons third law explains the propulsion of rocket ships Speeds of over 25000 miles per hour are needed to escape the earths atmosphere and 16000 miles per hour to put a rocket in orbit around the earth Fuels that can be used to propel rockets include hydrazine and nitric acid A model of a three stage rocket is shown to demonstrate how man will begin space travel
Date Published: 1953-10-24
Abstract: Determining the levels of hearing loss in young children can be measured by noting the childs reactions to various levels of volume and pitch The key to treating hearing impairments in children is the early detection of hearing loss Training parents to work with deaf children and the early fitting of hearing aids is important in the development of communication skills
Date Published: 1952-11-24
