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Radio documentary presented by Lisa Jardine who traces the evolution of scientific endeavour in Britain over the last four centuries. In this episode she explores an age of war in the 20th century. Historian, Liz Bruton, talks about the First World War and the government's attitudes to science and engineering. Graham Farmelo, author of 'Churchill's Bomb', discusses Churchill's interest in science along with his prominence in writing about nuclear weapons. Juliet Gardiner discusses how by 1918 scientists were valued more and there were the beginnings of a state funded approach to science and warfare. The 1920s and 1930s, saw an age of social change, and Liz Bruton talks about how, perhaps urged on by science fiction (e.g. Flash Gordon's ray gun), there was concern that a death ray would be invented. Scottish scientist, Robert Watson-Watt rebuffed the possibility of making one but suggested the use of electromagnetic waves for the detection of planes - the beginning of radar. The advances in radar at the University of Birmingham are considered, along with the state sponsored government control of science driven by Henry Tizard. Due to their nationality, scientists, Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls, were banned from helping with radar technology but did work on an atomic bomb which is discussed by historian of science and technology, Jon Agar, and also Graham Farmelo. Lisa Jardine discusses problems of conscience over the atomic bomb with reference to Otto Frisch and the physicist Leo Szilard. The Manhattan Project is briefly debated. The recruitment of scientists to work on projects other than their specialism is talked about. Science writer and biographer, Matt Ridley, mentions Francis Crick who was recruited to work on mine detection technology. Mathematician, Frank Kelly, and later biologist, Paul Nurse, discuss the new (relatively cheap) way science was developed in conjunction with the analysis and understanding of data. Matt Ridley, talks more about Francis Crick and how his training as a physicist brought something new to biology, as well as his use of information transfer and interpretation. This is further discussed in relation to science, and to Crick's later career with molecular biology and how Crick and Watson working together acted as a catalyst to the discovery of DNA in 1953. Lisa Jardine considers the post-1945 public mood which looked towards the future, as exemplified by the Festival of Britain in 1951. Juliet Gardiner talks about the new interest in technology and showing how science was embedded in nature and life. Many leading scientists worked on the Festival, including Nobel Prize winners, Kathleen Lonsdale and Dorothy Hodgkin who, with the Festival Pattern Group, used their discoveries for pattern design. Wallpaper, textiles and wearable fabrics for the public included patterns based on the structure of real molecules. The mid-20th century was a time when British academic scientists worked with industry, and the military, on ambitious scientific projects and expected to deliver outcomes.

The seven ages of science. 6/7 Age of war.

Avoid boring people : lessons from a life in science / James D.  Watson.

This film, about the discovery of the structure of DNA, consists of interviews and archive film clips of Cambridge in the 1950s, including the Cavendish laboratories and Sir Lawrence Bragg lecturing. Peter Pauling talks about James Watson and Sir Lawrence Bragg; Sir Aaron Klug describes life at Cambridge in the days of food rationing and gives his views on the working relationships and different approaches of those involved in the DNA discovery. He speculates that if Rosalind Franklin had worked with Francis Crick instead of with Maurice Wilkins, the discovery would have been made sooner. Michael Fuller, Cavendish technician, describes how James Watson improvised a model of DNA from cardboard and how he (Fuller) constructed the famous model.

1 video cassette (VHS) (20 min.) : sound, color, PAL

The golden molecule / by Taslima Khan.

xiv, 365 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, portraits, map ; 24 cm

Watson and DNA : making a scientific revolution / Victor K. McElheny.

Box file containing items of ephemera in acid free sleeves. Includes leaflets, Post office stamp postcards, Liebig cards, bank notes, gummed sticker / stamps, Brooke Bond tea cards, newspaper clippings etc. The people represented are: Eleanor Rathbone, Wilhelm Röntgen, Rudolphus, Ernest Rutherford, Sir Martin Ryle, Mary Seacole, Nicholas Shackleton, Erik Skovenborg, Marie Stopes, Sir Henry Thompson, Queen Victoria (visiting the sick at Osborne), Louis Wain, Alfred Russel Wallace, James D. Watson, Mary Wollstonecraft (2009 UK postage stamp and Newington Green Action Group's memorial project, 2011).

General Collections Ephemera Collection

Biography ephemera. Box 3, R-Z.

A lecture given by James Watson at The Institut Pasteur, Paris on 23rd May 1989

James Watson : from double helix to human genome.

The fourth in a six-part series in which mathetmatician Marcus du Sautoy explores the stories behind some of the most familiar scientific diagrams. This part features Crick and Watson's discovery of the double helix construction of DNA, the original diagram having been drawn by Odile Crick.

The beauty of diagrams. Part 5, DNA.

1 photograph : photoprint, Fujicolour crystal print ; sheet 51 x 41 cm

James D. Watson (left) and Francis Crick with a model of DNA, 1953. Photograph by A. Barrington Brown, 1953.

Leaflet to accompany the exhibition, listing all exhibits. Printed in black on mauve paper. Includes portraits of Francis Crick and James D. Watson.

Wellcome Collection ephemera. Box 2

1 folded sheet (6 pages) : illustrations, portraits, plan ; 21 cm

DNA & genetics : a selection of books from the General Collections of the Wellcome Library : 1 April to 27 July 2003 : a small display in the cases at the far end of the Modern Medicine reading room in the Wellcome Library / Stephen Lowther.

190 pages, 8 pages of plates : illustrations, portraits ; 20 cm

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The seven ages of science. 6/7 Age of war.

Avoid boring people : lessons from a life in science / James D. Watson.

The golden molecule / by Taslima Khan.

Watson and DNA : making a scientific revolution / Victor K. McElheny.

Biography ephemera. Box 3, R-Z.

James Watson : from double helix to human genome.

The beauty of diagrams. Part 5, DNA.

James D. Watson (left) and Francis Crick with a model of DNA, 1953. Photograph by A. Barrington Brown, 1953.

DNA & genetics : a selection of books from the General Collections of the Wellcome Library : 1 April to 27 July 2003 : a small display in the cases at the far end of the Modern Medicine reading room in the Wellcome Library / Stephen Lowther.

The double helix : a personal account of the discovery of the structure of DNA / James D. Watson ; with a new introduction by Steve Jones.

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The seven ages of science. 6/7 Age of war.

Avoid boring people : lessons from a life in science / James D. Watson.

The golden molecule / by Taslima Khan.

Watson and DNA : making a scientific revolution / Victor K. McElheny.

Biography ephemera. Box 3, R-Z.

James Watson : from double helix to human genome.

The beauty of diagrams. Part 5, DNA.

James D. Watson (left) and Francis Crick with a model of DNA, 1953. Photograph by A. Barrington Brown, 1953.

DNA & genetics : a selection of books from the General Collections of the Wellcome Library : 1 April to 27 July 2003 : a small display in the cases at the far end of the Modern Medicine reading room in the Wellcome Library / Stephen Lowther.

The double helix : a personal account of the discovery of the structure of DNA / James D. Watson ; with a new introduction by Steve Jones.

Stay in the know

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