The rise of electric flight – with the Faraday Institution

From The Royal Institution. Discover the future of battery-powered flight and how it could change air travel. Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for our science supporters): https://youtu.be/FEvsxgTxvuw Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join This lecture was recorded on 19 May in collaboration with the Faraday Institution. 00:00 Intro with Dame Helen Atkinson…

Survival under the sun – George Porter’s 1976 Christmas Lectures 6/6

From The Royal Institution. Sir George Porter looks at how sunlight powers sustainable energy sources. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZygm0MdZgXsrwewxKBMvL5y Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 6 Dec 1976. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures — a world famous series…

Making light work – George Porter’s 1976 Christmas Lectures 5/6

From The Royal Institution. Sir George Porter looks at thermodynamics and its role in helping power our lives. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZygm0MdZgXsrwewxKBMvL5y Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 5 Dec 1976. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures — a…

Candles from the sun – George Porter’s 1976 Christmas Lectures 4/6

From The Royal Institution. Man-made light and fuel sources are examined in this lecture by George Porter. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZygm0MdZgXsrwewxKBMvL5y Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 4 Dec 1976. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures — a world…

A leaf from nature – George Porter’s 1976 Christmas Lectures 3/6

From The Royal Institution. Sir George Porter looks at how leaves process light for food. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZygm0MdZgXsrwewxKBMvL5y Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 3 Dec 1976. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures — a world famous series…

Light and life – George Porter’s 1976 Christmas Lectures 2/6

From The Royal Institution. Sir George Porter explores the role the sun plays in creating new life. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZygm0MdZgXsrwewxKBMvL5y Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 2 Dec 1976. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures — a world…

First light – George Porter’s 1976 Christmas Lectures 1/6

From The Royal Institution. Sir George Porter takes an in-depth look at how light is structured. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZygm0MdZgXsrwewxKBMvL5y Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 1 Dec 1976. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures — a world famous…

It’s My Own Invention – Eric Laithwaite’s 1974 Christmas Lectures 6/6

From The Royal Institution. In the final lecture of his 1974 CHRISTMAS LECTURE series, Professor Eric Laithwaite explores the concept of scientific invention. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZwy6vCeZqHPslSO1re9gd7R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This lecture was filmed at the Ri on Friday 3rd January 1975. — This year marks…

‘The Time Has Come’ The Walrus Said – Eric Laithwaite’s 1974 Christmas Lectures 5/6

From The Royal Institution. Eric Laithwaite uses the concept of analogies (fairy stories) as a way to explain complex topics in science including objects that ‘fall upwards’ and high speed transport using linear induction motors. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZwy6vCeZqHPslSO1re9gd7R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This lecture was filmed…

The Jabberwock – Eric Laithwaite’s 1974 Christmas Lectures 4/6

From The Royal Institution. In this controversial Lecture, Laithwaite used behavioural gyroscopes in an attempt to challenge the validity of Newton’s Laws of motion and the laws of thermodynamics. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZwy6vCeZqHPslSO1re9gd7R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This lecture was filmed at the Ri on Monday 30th…

Jam Yesterday, Jam Tomorrow – Eric Laithwaite’s 1974 Christmas Lectures 3/6

From The Royal Institution. Through the title of this third lecture and the theme of chess running through Alice’s adventures, Eric Laithwaite introduces the concept of ‘odds and evens’. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZwy6vCeZqHPslSO1re9gd7R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This lecture was filmed at the Ri on Saturday 28th…

Tweedledum and Tweedledee – Eric Laithwaite’s 1974 Christmas Lectures 2/6

From The Royal Institution. Taking Lewis Carroll’s twins as his starting point for his second lecture, Professor Eric Laithwaite explores the principles of symmetry in engineering. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZwy6vCeZqHPslSO1re9gd7R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This lecture was filmed at the Ri on Monday 23rd December 1974. —…

Looking Glass House – Eric Laithwaite’s 1974 Christmas Lectures 1/6

From The Royal Institution. In his first lecture, Professor Eric Laithwaite explores the concept of ‘reflection’, from concepts of the smallest particle to those of the whole universe. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZwy6vCeZqHPslSO1re9gd7R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This lecture was filmed at the Ri on Saturday 21st December…

Signals from the mind – Heinz Wolff’s 1975 Christmas Lectures 6/6

From The Royal Institution. Heinz Wolff explores the signals we receive and send out about our emotional and mental states. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZz3QXoXVulsn9-qR3lu3J5Q Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 2 January 1976. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures…

Looking through your skin – Heinz Wolff’s 1975 Christmas Lectures 5/6

From The Royal Institution. Heinz Wolff explores the ways in which electromagnetic radiation and ultrasounds enable us to investigate inside of the body. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZz3QXoXVulsn9-qR3lu3J5Q Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 1 January 1976. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal…

Probes, sondes and sounds – Heinz Wolff’s 1975 Christmas Lectures 4/6

From The Royal Institution. Heinz Wolff looks at the ways in which we can discover what’s happening in our digestive tract. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZz3QXoXVulsn9-qR3lu3J5Q Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 31 December 1975. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas…

Spikes and waves – Heinz Wolff’s 1975 Christmas Lectures 3/6

From The Royal Institution. Heinz Wolff explores what we can learn from how our body conducts electricity. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZz3QXoXVulsn9-qR3lu3J5Q Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 30 December 1975. — This year marks 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures — a world…

Pumps, pipes and flows – Heinz Wolff’s 1975 Christmas Lectures 2/6

From The Royal Institution. Heinz Wolff explores the ways in which we can find out how much blood the heart is actually pumping and how efficiently it does it all, without spilling a drop. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZz3QXoXVulsn9-qR3lu3J5Q Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 29…

You as an engine – Heinz Wolff’s 1975 Christmas Lectures 1/6

From The Royal Institution. Heinz Wolff demonstrates how to measure the efficiency of the human engine, comparing it with that of a petrol-driven generator. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZz3QXoXVulsn9-qR3lu3J5Q Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 28 December 1975. — This year marks 200 years of the…

Vision of the future – Geoffrey G. Gouriet’s 1972 Christmas Lectures 6/6

From The Royal Institution. Geoffrey G. Gouriet shows some of the most remarkable inventions that back in 1972 were still under development. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyp8bEPEAW6yRAGxI2jUw-R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 5 January 1973. — In the last lecture of his CHRISTMAS LECTURES series,…

But electrons aren’t coloured! – Geoffrey G. Gouriet’s 1972 Christmas Lectures 5/6

From The Royal Institution. Geoffrey G. Gouriet discusses how colour picture is produced and transmitted in his fifth Christmas Lecture of his 1972 series entitled ‘Ripples in the Ether: The Science of Radio Communication’. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyp8bEPEAW6yRAGxI2jUw-R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 3…

Pictures with and without wires – Geoffrey G. Gouriet’s 1972 Christmas Lectures 4/6

From The Royal Institution. In his fourth 1972 Christmas Lecture in the series ‘Ripples in the Ether: The Science of Radio Communication’, Geoffrey G. Gouriet explores how pictures are formed and then transmitted. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyp8bEPEAW6yRAGxI2jUw-R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 1 January…

The sound of broadcasting – Geoffrey G. Gouriet’s 1972 Christmas Lectures 3/6

From The Royal Institution. Geoffrey G. Gouriet explores how sound is produced and broadcasted in the third of his 1972 Christmas Lecture series ‘Ripples in the Ether: The Science of Radio Communication’. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyp8bEPEAW6yRAGxI2jUw-R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 30 December 1972.…

Getting rid of the wires – Geoffrey G. Gouriet’s 1972 Christmas Lectures 2/6

From The Royal Institution. In this second lecture, Geoffrey G. Gouriet demonstrates the mechanical behaviour of waves. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyp8bEPEAW6yRAGxI2jUw-R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 28 December 1972. — In this second Lecture, Gouriet first demonstrates the behaviour of mechanical waves; how they…

How it all began – Geoffrey G. Gouriet’s 1972 Christmas Lectures 1/6

From The Royal Institution. Geoffrey G. Gouriet discusses how radio communication began in the first of his 1972 Christmas Lecture series titled ‘Ripples in the Ether: The Science of Radio Communication’. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyp8bEPEAW6yRAGxI2jUw-R Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 22 December 1972. —…

Gravity – the internet’s most asked questions – with Claudia de Rham

From The Royal Institution. What makes gravity so important? And how does it work? Find out with Claudia de Rham, Professor of theoretical Physics. Buy Claudia’s book ‘The Beauty of Falling: A Life in Pursuit of Gravity’ here: https://geni.us/AMORTv Watch her full lecture on gravity here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7MN64JlsMw Claudia de Rham is a professor of theoretical…

A scientist’s guide to wellness, ageing and death – with John Tregoning

From The Royal Institution. John Tregoning tells his story of self-experimentation in pursuit of healthier organs and a longer life. This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 24 February 2025. This was first shown as an ad-free preview for our Science Supporters. Join now to see previews, Q&As, and support our charitable work: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join…

How microscopes have changed our lives – with Anwen Bullen

From The Royal Institution. Discover how the development of microscopes has shaped our understanding of the senses, as Anwen Bullen explores the working of the ear. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 8 March 2025. The inner ear…

Optimising our world with mathematical models – with Jane Hillston

From The Royal Institution. How do we model the world around us? And how can new algorithms help us face our resource-hungry modern society? Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for our Science Supporters): https://youtu.be/g4tr_KZQPS0 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 15 March 2025. How…

Is there a standard model of cosmology? – with George Efstathiou

From The Royal Institution. Join renowned cosmologist George Efstathiou as he explores how cosmology has changed over recent decades, and what secrets are still to be discovered. Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for our Science Supporters): https://youtu.be/66_SvlIuZtg Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 28…

Neuromorphic computing – with Johan Mentink

From The Royal Institution. Explore a brand new paradigm in computing, and how it might offer faster solutions that can support scientific breakthroughs. Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for our Science Supporters): https://youtu.be/VJkq8G9LmqM Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 24 January 2025, in partnership…

Following Faraday’s hint: The search for quantum gravity – with Jim Gates

From The Royal Institution. World-renowned physicist Jim Gates explores his life in science, and shows how visualisation can propel the search for quantum gravity. This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 8 February 2025. Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for Science Supporters): Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join The power of…

Dwarf and giant numbers – Philip Morrison’s 1968 Christmas Lectures 5/6

From The Royal Institution. From the arithmetic of ratios to the science of numbers themselves, Philip Morrison explores the importance of small and large numbers, inspired by Gulliver’s Travels, in one of the earliest recorded Christmas Lectures. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyVSqUGRrZh05w7JYj77-m6 Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was…

Tiny technology – Philip Morrison’s 1968 Christmas Lectures 4/6

From The Royal Institution. Philip Morrison asks what our technology would look like if we were the size of men in Gulliver’s voyages, in one of the earliest filmed Christmas Lectures. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyVSqUGRrZh05w7JYj77-m6 Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 4 December 1968. —…

A prodigious leap – Philip Morrison’s 1968 Christmas Lectures 3/6

From The Royal Institution. Philip Morrison studies the walking, running, floating and swimming, by animals large and small, and in man-made vehicles of all kinds, inspired by Gulliver’s Travels in one of the earliest recorded Christmas Lectures. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyVSqUGRrZh05w7JYj77-m6 Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was…

Meat and drink sufficient for 1728 Lilliputians – Philip Morrison’s 1968 Christmas Lectures 2/6

From The Royal Institution. Philip Morrison looks at whether Gulliver could truly consume ‘meat and drink sufficient for 1728 Lilliputians’ from Gulliver’s Travels in one of the earliest recorded Christmas Lectures. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyVSqUGRrZh05w7JYj77-m6 Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 2 December 1968. —…

Science of Scale – Philip Morrison’s 1968 Christmas Lectures 1/6

From The Royal Institution. Philip Morrison looks at the geometry of size and scale, in one of the earliest recorded Christmas Lectures. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyVSqUGRrZh05w7JYj77-m6 Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 1 December 1968. — In 2025 we’re celebrating 200 years of the CHRISTMAS…

How quantum will affect cities – with Ruth Oulton

From The Royal Institution. Discover how quantum technologies will revolutionise our lives, as Ruth Oulton guides us through the smart cities of tomorrow. Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for Science Supporters): https://youtu.be/O-YG69s_9ic Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe To us, we know a city as a…

How to stop a killer asteroid from hitting Earth – with Robin George Andrews

From The Royal Institution. Find out how science and engineering can save us from city-destroying asteroids, with NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). Watch the Q&A (exclusively for our Science Supporters) here: https://youtu.be/tCgDhchNCtA Buy Robin’s book here: https://geni.us/FX2A This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 1 February 2025. Asteroids colliding with the planet aren’t…

Engineering a swarm – with Sabine Hauert

From The Royal Institution. Swarm engineering expert Sabine Hauert explains how recent developments in robotics and AI can revolutionise our lives, and why these swarm systems can be trusted. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for Science Supporters): https://youtu.be/UbCu8fhEzpw Swarms in nature, including birds, social insects and…

A psychologist’s 7 lessons for happiness – with Professor Bruce Hood

From The Royal Institution. Discover 7 research-backed secrets to becoming happier. Buy Bruce’s book here: https://geni.us/cVG7UeM Watch Bruce’s lecture on ‘The science of happiness’ here: https://youtu.be/LtGY85JXTUM 00:00 Intro 00:20 Alter your ego 1:00 Avoid isolation 1:58 Reject negative comparisons 2:46 Become more optimistic 3:17 Control your attention 3:59 Connect with others 4:38 Get out of…

Statistical uncertainty in the modern world – Ri Science Podcast with David Spiegelhalter

From The Royal Institution. Sir David Spiegelhalter is a national treasure in the world of statistics, achieving everything from a knighthood to appearing on Total Wipeout.   In light of giving the first Discourse in their bicentennial year (https://www.rigb.org/discover200-ri) , David explores how risk and uncertainty have affected his own life, and how to understand…

The future of bioengineering – with Alvena Kureshi

From The Royal Institution. Discover the world of bioengineering and its potential to revolutionise surgical materials, improving both people and the planet. This talk was recorded at the Ri on 14 September 2024. Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for our Science Supporters): https://youtu.be/l4ufh68_CII Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join Imagine a future…