Light Fantastic
Light Fantastic explores the phenomenon that surrounds and affects nearly every aspect of our lives but one which we take for granted - light.
Greek and Arab scholars, and later Europeans such as Descartes and Newton all tried to understand light to gain a better understanding of God. Episode one shows how much of modern science's origins came from the desire to penetrate the divine nature of light.
The second programme explores the link between the development of practical tools that manipulate light and the emergence of new ideas. For example, Galileo's observation that the sun did not go around the earth, was made with a telescope that had been invented for Venetian soldiers and traders.
Episode three charts the discovery of the true nature of light and its impact on the modern world. All of today's technologies - electricity, mobile communications and our ability to illuminate the world 24 hours a day - stem from unravelling the mystery of light.
In the final programme Simon Schaffer finds that as more people were able to manipulate light, the more puzzling and tricky it became. This led to investigations into the strange relationship between light, the eye and the mind, and the development of new technology such as photography and cinema.
More videos
Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives
The Corporation
The Disappearing Male
Weird Nature
Watch this documentary online
If you can't play the documentary, please read the FAQ.
Link to this documentary:
Embed this documentary:
Documentaries 
comment #2923 Darren Willis
The christians sure do seem to fund a whole lot of documentaries aimed at confusing science with religion.
reply | permalinkcomment #942 techydude
i couldn't count how many documentaries i've watched on the topic of science, particularly physics & cosmology (& many of them logged on this site), both contemporary & historical, but this Light Fantastic set has taught me things i still didn't know about a host of well known scientists/physicists, by looking at their collective work from one underlying perspective - light. fascinating & magnificent, the Brits indeed do make great documentaries :)
reply | permalinkcomment #287 Code7R
Another addition: I just realized I may have picked up more interesting (!) knowledge here than I my entire school time...
reply | permalink... is that a good thing? :-)
comment #286 Code7R
@DocLog:
reply | permalinkHey, I think you're doing pretty well. :-) Best site I've found so far.
In addition, if you ever allow something to distract you from posting documentaries ;-), which is hardly imaginable.... ;-)
... it should be college / education.
What I mean by that is, I don't mind to wait between documentaries.
:-)
comment #285 KeepEmComming
I wish more people would know about this site! This documentary is really interesting. I like the way how narrator tells the story (with sheer fascination)!
reply | permalinkcomment #284 Documentary Log
Agreed. Also, I really wish I could dedicate more of my time to this website and posting documentaries. College is keeping me awfully busy. I hope you all have liked it so far :)
reply | permalinkcomment #283 Code7R
The British may not have eatable food, but man do they know how to make documentaries. ;-)
reply | permalinkcomment #281 Gruby
This site is great!
reply | permalink