Connections (TV series)

Connections was a ten-episode documentary television series created by science historian James Burke in 1978. The series was shot in multi-media, produced and directed by Mick Jackson of the BBC television science & features department. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to the history of science and invention. Each episode demonstrates how various discoveries, scientific achievements, and historical world events have linked together over the centuries to bring about particular aspects of modern technology. The show jumps between various recreated scenes of discovery, and is presented with a light tongue-in-cheek tone.

The popular success of the series led to two sequel series, Connections 2 (sometimes written Connections²) in 1994, and Connections 3 (or Connections³) in 1997.

Episodes

Connections

The Trigger Effect
Death in the Morning
Distant Voices
Faith in Numbers
The Wheel of Fortune
Thunder in the Skies
The Long Chain
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Countdown
Yesterday, Tomorrow and You

Music: O Fortuna from Carmina Burana, among other things.

Connections 2

Revolutions
Sentimental Journeys
Getting It Together
Whodunit?
Something for Nothing
Echoes of the Past
Photo Finish
Separate Ways
High Times
Déjà Vu
New Harmony
Hot Pickle
The Big Spin
Bright Ideas
Making Waves
Routes
One Word
Sign Here
Better Than the Real Thing
Flexible Response

Connections 3

A Special Place
An Invisible Object
Drop The Apple
Elementary Stuff
Feedback
Fire From The Sky
Hit The Water
In Touch
Life Is No Picnic
What's In A Name?

Other media

Burke also wrote a series of Connections articles in Scientific American, and published a book of the same name, all built on the same theme - exploring the history of science and ideas, going up and down time explaining things on the way and, generally, coming back to the starting point.

In addition, a computer game was made, a Myst-style adventure with James Burke (and others) providing video footage and voice acting.

Connections was also the title of a long-running quiz show in the 1980's for teenagers, produced by Granada Television and hosted by Sue Robbie.

External links

documentary television series | BBC television programmes