Of Science and Scientists; 22; Why Science Works
- Series
- Of Science and Scientists
- Episode Number
- 22
- Episode
- Why Science Works
- Producing Organization
- WGBH Educational Foundation
- Contributing Organization
- WGBH (Boston, Massachusetts)
- AAPB ID
- cpb-aacip-15-01bk3sf0
- NOLA Code
- OSAS
If you have more information about this item than what is given here, or if you have concerns about this record, we want to know! Contact us, indicating the AAPB ID (cpb-aacip-15-01bk3sf0).
- Description
- Episode Description
- A rocket plane stands poised on its landing platform. Then, with all the planned efficiency of science, it thrusts upward toward the stratosphere. Behind it falls away a world where political and social affairs display all the human failings. Small wonder there is good cause to ask an expert why science works. Professor Le Corbeiller suggests an answer in an inspection of the methods and cold judgment of science in the laboratory and their application to technology. He demonstrates with a number of pointer readings and a few simple equations that "science is an extraordinary, unique domain of human activity in which we bring together the advantages of unbounded imagination and the power of reason." (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche)
- Episode Description
- Demonstrates with numerical measurement and equations how science grows from the imagination and power of man to reason. Inspects methods and judgments of science and their application to technology. Explains how science is an accumulative process whose bounds are unlimited. (Description from NET Film Service Catalog 1960)
- Series Description
- Americans tend to think of the sciences as potentially useful (air-conditioning) or potentially troublesome (Strontium-90). We accept or marvel at the revolutionary products of science while giving little thought to the basic ideas, concepts, techniques and logic that have gone into exploring, understanding and explaining our universe or in building our technical civilization. Such an understanding of science does not come easily. Limited by time and opportunity, scientists do not often explain themselves to non-scientists. Also, the quality of science is most difficult to the layman to understand is its indirect approach to the discovery of truths. Robert Frost summed up the problem by commenting that to his mind all science rested on the question, "How she differs from what she's like."Without attempting to teach physics or chemistry or geology, these programs suggest the qualities and outlook of science. By analogy and demonstration, they reveal the ideas which guide scientific research and the truths that research uncovers. They give an appreciation of what the scientist can and cannot do. As one speaker says, "The important thing about science is not merely that it gives rise to technological miracles, but that it provides us with one of many guidebooks we need to find our way in this universe." Today, as non-scientists are called upon to make decisions or concur in decisions that may affect the future of scientific research and even the future of life, a knowledge of "how she differs from what she's like," may not only be useful, but necessary. By explaining and demonstrating the guiding principles of science and scientists, these programs attempt to convey that increasingly necessary knowledge. Produced by WGBH-TV, Boston, the producer-director was David Walker and the executive producer Lawrence Kreshkoff.Dr. Phillipe Le Corbeiller is Professor of Applied Physics and of General Education at Harvard University. He is host and program editor for Harvard in the television series, "Of Science and Scientists." A leader in Harvard's general education program since its beginning in 1946, when he started the course, "Principles of Physical Science," Dr. Le Corbeiller was the first to be appointed professor of General Education in 1949, in addition to being professor of Applied Physics. Throughout the series Dr. Le Corbeiller is joined by other scientists. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche)
- Broadcast Date
- 1957
- Asset type
- Episode
- Rights
- Published Work: This work was offered for sale and/or rent in 1960.
- Media type
- Moving Image
- Duration
- 00:00:00
- Credits
-
-
Director: Walker, David
Executive Producer: Kreshkoff, Lawrence
Host: Le Corbeiller, Philippe
Producer: Walker, David
Producing Organization: WGBH Educational Foundation
- AAPB Contributor Holdings
-
WGBH
Identifier: cpb-aacip-4796ec44e74 (Filename)
Format: Digital Betacam
Generation: Master
Duration: 00:00:30
-
WGBH
Identifier: cpb-aacip-3a671a9b77c (Filename)
Format: 16mm film
Generation: Kinescope
-
WGBH
Identifier: cpb-aacip-7a1e5cdf89b (Filename)
Format: Betacam
Generation: Master
Duration: 00:00:30
-
Identifier: cpb-aacip-9417f925f9e (unknown)
Format: video/quicktime
Color: B&W
Duration: 00:00:00
If you have a copy of this asset and would like us to add it to our catalog, please contact us.
- Citations
- Chicago: “Of Science and Scientists; 22; Why Science Works,” 1957, WGBH, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed September 17, 2025, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-01bk3sf0.
- MLA: “Of Science and Scientists; 22; Why Science Works.” 1957. WGBH, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. September 17, 2025. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-01bk3sf0>.
- APA: Of Science and Scientists; 22; Why Science Works. Boston, MA: WGBH, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-01bk3sf0