On TV...

[Hell Razor5543]

https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/impo ... gineering/

[CitroJim]

Now that does look interesting James

[Gibbo2286]

On the radioactive milk subject I believe the Thatcher's 'milk snatcher' title came from her science background, not because of the accident mentioned here but because of the widespread atmospheric nuclear testing done post war.

I think she knew, but couldn't say at the time, that the milk was harmful to children so she did her best to stop them getting too much.

Look up 'Strontium 90 in milk' to see where my thoughts come from.

[Hell Razor5543]

I watched the first episode of 'Impossible Engineering', and it was interesting. This episode was about the expansion of The Panama Canal, and showed all of the techniques use to build and manage the Canal. For example, each of the locks (and there are six in total) are HUGE, and are something like 427 meters long, 55 meters wide, and have a water rise of 9 meters (the 'top' of the Canal is 27 meters above sea level). To conserve the water levels each lock has 3 'catch pools', and these help to minimise water loss (if these 'catch pools' were not used the artificial lake at the 'top' of the Canal could not handle the water loss. These pools help to retain 60% of the lock water each time the lock is used.

[Hell Razor5543]

The second episode of the current series is about the massive lifting vessel "The Pioneering Spirit", designed to install and decommission oil and gas rigs, and to lay pipelines in deep waters. Part of this is the lifting equipment, and has taken inspiration from the hydro pneumatic suspension from Citroen (with the program showing a later series DS, and the work of Paul Mages). They used this system to help minimise transmission of heavy movements (such as in rough seas) from the hull to the payload, and for lifting a rig up to two meters from its' legs. "The Pioneering Spirit" displaces 1,000,000 tonnes of water when laden to its maximum capacity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneering_Spirit_(ship)

[NewcastleFalcon]

From Impossible Engineering to a sultry singer called Julie London, The FCF's On-TV has something for everyone.

Came across this documentary on a random link from the Pickled Egg Jukebox, and a radio airing today of one of her songs.



Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Very much enjoyed this foraged curry and chilli bread and Scotland!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... 6-scotland

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Having grown up in the 1960's and a diet of the Space Race to put a man on the moon, its about time for inspiring space stories to push the boundaries of technology and the possible.

Watched one and a half hours of the "The Search for a new Earth"... might have been better in 3 half hour programmes as it got heavy going towards the end.

Two interesting developments in spacecraft propulsion.......the plasma engine, and laser propelled spacecraft with sails.

Not on I-Player anymore (I fail to understand why the BBC are so precious about making their content available) but its on Daily Motion in two parts

"The Search for a new Earth" Part 1
"The Search for a new Earth" Part 2


Maybe its space week Horizon are doing a programme about Mars tomorow

Mars A Traveller's Guide
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09574pc

Regards Neil

[jgra1]

was good Neil ..gave up after 1 15 but enjoyed it a lot

[NewcastleFalcon]

I used to and still do love these programmes about the Countryside by Jack Hargreaves.

Focussed mainly around the New Forest Area where he lived and worked.

Discovered quite a crop of them on Daily Motion, which is often a good place to "find" stuff which isn't on the all conquering youtube.

http://www.dailymotion.com/search/jack%20hargreaves

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

David Shepherd the artist and conservationist cropped up on POTD.

This is a full-length documentary about his work, a shorter tribute has been posted up on POTD. Fascinating in my book...a great artist, subject matter I love, and from this and other presentations, a very interesting biography.



Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Anyone remember the trade test films. For some reason I remember this particular one more than any others.

Not that its brilliant, Frank Ifield does a bit of singing, but remember it well and at least one phrase from it "hashmagandy" for their roadside fry up out of tins, has seeped into my vocabulary.

I'll put it up, more as a nostalgic reminder rather than a recommendation to watch it!



Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

In the late 1960's this was a typical day on BBC2. The wiki article also gives information on other trade test films like Guiseppina set in an Italian Petrol Station and The Capitve River, and the Home Made Car. Many were produced by BP.

From Wiki
09.00 Colour Testcard F
10.00 Service Information For The Television Trade
10.03 Colour Testcard F
10.30 The Colour Receiver Installation Film
10.43 TRADE TEST COLOUR FILM followed by Colour Testcard F
11.00 Play School followed by Colour Testcard F
11.30 Service Information For The Television Trade
11.33 TRADE TEST COLOUR FILM followed by Colour Testcard F
12.10 The Colour Receiver Installation Film
12.23 Colour Testcard F
2.30 Service Information For The Television Trade
2.33 TRADE TEST COLOUR FILM followed by Colour Testcard F
3.10 The Colour Receiver Installation Film
3.23 Colour Testcard F
3.30 TRADE TEST COLOUR FILM followed by Colour Testcard F
4.30 TRADE TEST COLOUR FILM followed by Colour Testcard F
5.30 TRADE TEST COLOUR FILM followed by Colour Testcard F
6.30 TRADE TEST COLOUR FILM followed by Colour Testcard F

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Guiseppina was significant for Trade Test Films, in that in 1961 it won an Oscar for the best documentary short subject!

Obviously the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, clearly thought it was good...



Regards Neil

[white exec]

Good grief. Well it was 1961, and colour was new...