AV News 177 - August 2009
As a student I attended lectures on science and was unhappy that an
interesting subject was being presented in a dull manner. Lacking enthusiasm
and passion - both elements that seemed to be discouraged by academics. I
started to develop my lectures to include props rather than demonstration
items such as telescopes, globes etc - this followed on from a tradition of public
science lecturing as given by the likes of James Ferguson and Benjamin Martin
in the 18th century; the Reverend Podmore and Sir Robert Ball in the 19th
century. Podmore supplemented his magic lantern lectures with music - albeit
a live band and opera singer! Other lantern shows included animated slides
and sound effects adding to the whole experience. I wanted to adapt such
techniques to my science lectures.
Equipment was limited but armed with a Hanimex slide projector and a
portable cassette player my lectures took on a new look and sound. It was a
chance find in the music section of Woolworths, on the Lozells Road in
Handsworth, Birmingham that gave me the opportunity I needed - I discovered
the fa