The Computer Programme

Ian visits Stonehenge and theorises that it was a complex astronomical computer to calculate the movements of the sun and the moon. Chris heads to the European Weather Centre and explains the role of the Cray Supercomputer in predicting weather patterns. A confectionary shop owner shows us the importance of computers in stock control. We also look at an early version of Prestel and Chris books a flight online to go to Paris. Rex gives us an insight into where computers are leading us in the future.

Ian reports on the importance of computers in the automotive industry. Ian and Chris also take a look back at 19th century machines that form the basis of the logical instructions found in "modern" day computers. Gill takes us on a ride through central London to demonstrate how operators moderate the flow of traffic using computers.

Ian shows us what fairground musical machines have in common with "modern" day computers - punched cards of course! Chris almost shoots Ian with a rifle - pity that! Gill brings some sense of normality to proceedings by showing why computers are important in manufacturing by demonstrating CNC lathes. Ian and Chris finish this programme by programming a computer to shows basic control of a computer arm.

Ian visits the British Library to see how they utilise computers to index books. We also see the first glimpse of the Video Disc - seen as a major advance over the existing storage methods of the time. Gill visits the Queen Alexandra Hospital to understand how they use computers to manage meals for guests. Rex Malik ponders the problems of computer security.

Ian dresses up as a wild west cowboy and heads to Buffalo Creek in the Isle Of WIght County to demonstrate early methods of communication. Chris logs on to Prestel and shows us how to send messages, the forerunner of modern emai. Gill travels to Waterloo Station to explain how British Rail monitors the rail network. Gill then visits British Aerospace to show us how important computers are in the operating of their Airbus aeroplanes. Rex introduces us to the concept of the electronic "Global Village".

Chris plays soccer games on a Colecovision. Ian visits the London Planetarium to show us how a computer controls the amazing pictures which a projected using the sophisticated machinery. Ian also shows us some early computer animation. Ian proceeds to destroy Chris's wonderful 80's knitted jumper in order to demonstrate how computers use simplistic instructions to perform complicated tasks. Gill takes to public transport and visits the Royal College of Art to see how the are undertaking a project to visualise bus timetables as simple maps using parallel lines. Chris and Ian introduce is to the concept of spreadsheets and their increasing importance in business. We also get a glimpse of speech recognition and David Ellis demostrates how computers are revolutionising music as we know it.

Chris "takes off" for a spot of flying in a Boeing 727 in a Redifusion simulator in Crawley. Ian and Chris get down to the serious business of playing computer games. Gill get's all flash on us by demostrating how computers can model events based on the basic information provided at the scene of an accident. Chris takes us to the European Centre for medium range forecasting at Shinfield. Here he shows us how they deploy modelling to predict weather patterns.

Ian invites us to get lost in a maze. K-9 (Tom Baker's robotic canine sidekick) unfortunately guides Ian out of the maze using simple logical mapping. Chris introduces how the University of Yale are embarking on a project to build computers that can learn and think for themselves. Chris shows his mastery of motor mechanics in order to demonstrate how computers deal in probabilities. Gill visits St. James Hospital in Leeds to show how computers are playing a more prominent role in diagnosis of patients medical conditions. Ian and Chris show us how a computer can learn by it's mistakes using Noughts and Crosses (Tic-Tac-Toe). This idea featured in the 1983 movie War Games.

Chris demonstrates Ceefax using a BBC Micro in his kitchen!!! Champion "Thumper" shows us how to navigate around a maze in the Euro Mouse Maze Solving Contest. Ian and Chris then show us how to control a rudimentary robot by sacrificing a poor old ZX80 as a donor. Gill creates a bit of a stink by demonstrating how computers are important in treating effluent in a sewerage works. Ian shows how computers are become more prominent in the automobile industry, particularly in advertising.

In the final program of the series, we are shown how computers will change our everyday lives. From farming to banking. Rex has the final word lamenting that silicon is slowly but surely swallowing the whole world up.