Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
to
to
Exclude
Only includes titles with the selected topics
to
In minutes
to
1-50 of 72
- A documentary film which follows a mailman as he travels along the Birdsville Track in the Outback.
- Cornwall, UK, is one of the oldest tin mining areas in the world. In their day, the Cornish pumping engines were the most powerful and economical steam pumps in the world. This documentary charts the history of these giant machines, which were designed and constructed by some of the most talented engineers in the UK. The development of the steam engine dates back to the early 16th century, when miners began to sink shafts into the ground. The first designs were based on the simple principles of the hand pump, but a more powerful engine was needed to pump water on a larger scale. The English engineer and inventor Thomas Savery (c.1650-1715) produced the world's first steam-powered water pump in 1689. His pump consisted of a boiler heated by an open fire. Steam from the boiler entered a condensing chamber. Water sprayed into the chamber condensed the steam, creating a vacuum that could be used to raise water from the mine. Twenty years later, the English blacksmith Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729) developed an improved version of Savery's "atmospheric engine". Newcomen's engine consisted of a cylinder mounted above a boiler. A piston inside the cylinder operated a rod attached to the water pump. The weight of the rod pulled the piston to the top of the cylinder, which then filled with steam from the boiler. When water was sprayed into the cylinder, the steam condensed, creating a vacuum that pulled the piston down to work the pump. In 1763, the experiments of the Scottish engineer James Watt (1736-1819) revealed some fundamental facts about heat energy. His discoveries led him to build a new steam engine, called "Old Bess", in 1776. Watt's engine was used to pump water to drive a water wheel. Watt later developed the first rotary steam engine. This was used for mine winding and mill driving and expanded the use of steam power throughout the world. The rotary steam engine was four times as efficient as the atmospheric engines of Newcomen and Savery. Richard Trevithick (1771-1833), an engineer from Cornwall, was the first person to develop a high pressure steam engine. Built in 1812, the cylindrical Cornish boiler consisted of riveted wrought iron plates and was strong enough to resist steam at extremely high pressures. The Cornish engine was four times as efficient as the Watt's most efficient steam engine. The Cornish engine was erected in London for pumping part of the city's water supply and its use has been adopted in countries as far apart as Australia and Russia.
- The Mille Miglia, a thousand mile motor race around Italy, starts and finishes at Brescia and passes through Rome, Florence and Bologna. This video documents the twentieth Mille Miglia of 1953. In Italy, where the design and construction of competition cars is a significant industry, the most famous names are Ferrari and Alpha Romeo. Enzo Ferrari was responsible for building the winning cars of the previous five Mille Miglia. Enthusiastic supporters travel to Maranello to see the Ferraris testing for this year's race. At Alpha Romeo, in Milan, designers consider racing as part of a process for developing cars for conventional motorists. Over five hundred cars have been entered for this year's race, with one thousand drivers and co drivers. The competitors are numbered and start one at a time, with the smallest cars first. All vehicles are divided between four touring classes for standard production cars, and four sports car classes. As well as the main race, there is close competition for each class prize. As tension mounts at the start, where cars set off every half minute, the police struggle to contain an enthusiastic crowd. As most of the leading drivers possess the skill and experience to win the race, greatest interest focuses on them. Each car is issued with a card, which the driver must ensure is stamped at control points along the route. After the first 180 miles, the Ferraris have broken every record, with an average speed of over 100 mph. From a control point at L'Aquila, the route descends through the mountains and down to Rome. Special flags are used to warn drivers of hazards, which include unexpected corners, narrow bridges and level crossings that may be closed. Around the circuit, many cars have run into difficulties and some are already out of the race. As the race continues, hundreds of different types and sizes of car compete around the circuit. French cars are leading in both classes on the stretch to Bologna, the last control point before the finish at Brescia. The remaining 140 miles forms the fastest section of the course. On the last leg, Ferrari takes the lead to win, with Alpha Romeo in second, and Lancia third.
- This documentary examines the evolution of gear technology and the uses of gears from their invention to modern day applications. The gear provides the best means for the efficient transfer of power from one direction to another. Today they are most widely used in the control of speed, which is determined by the respective number of teeth on each gear called the gear ratio. The earliest example was the Chain of Pots, first used 2000 years ago. The mechanism worked through crude spun gears raising a horizontal force of water vertically, resulting in the flowing water providing power. Then, from its beginnings in the first century, the vertical or Roman mill, became the major source of power for the next 1800 years. The gears used in the windmills and water mills that powered 13th century industry, were crudely constructed using wood. From the middle of the 14th century, mechanised clocks containing metal gear wheels appeared in Europe. It was established that continuous rolling contact could reduce friction between gear teeth increasing efficiency and reducing wear. Initially the cycloid shape was used, but the involute curve, first proposed in the 18th century, has since become universally accepted as the best profile for gear teeth. The Industrial Revolution brought the widespread use of steam engines. Belts, chains and gears were required to transfer their power. As more powerful engines were developed, gear wheels had to take greater loads. The use of cast iron, the correct tooth shape and adequate lubrication became vitally important. In many industrial machines spur, bevel and worm gears were used to transfer power, and the compact gear provided high gear ratios. Gear cutting machinery became more accurate and in the 1840s, the principle of gear generation was first applied in the USA. The differential gear appeared for the first time on the road in a tricycle and is now a standard feature of the motor car. Today, the internal combustion engine and steam turbines like the one used by Charles Parsons (1854-1931) in the first turbine powered ship in 1897, involve high gear ratios and use single or double helical gears. These are smoother, quieter running and suffer less wear. Motor vehicles and early industrial machines requiring a range of gears used the synchro mesh gearbox. Only the gear in use drives the shaft, while the rest rotate freely. James Watt (1736-1819) originally devised the sun and planet gear in 1871, in which gear wheels of varying size convert vertical piston movement into rotary motion. More recently, the principle has been used in the epicyclic gearbox, which can handle very high power loads.
- Features road surfacing material whose tyre grip properties have reduced road accidents in test areas by up to 60%. The need for the right type of road surfacing is demonstrated and development of the Shellgrip system is explained.
- Documentary about mankind's struggle with insects. English title: The Rival World.
- In August 1628, a Swedish warship sank within minutes of setting sail on its maiden voyage. This film documents the technical challenges involved in preserving the Wasa, which had been lost in Stockholm harbour for over three hundred years. In 1956, the unearthing of pieces of blackened oak led to the discovery of the Wasa, held fast in a grave of silt and slime. In an elaborate salvage operation it took three years to raise the ship clear of the seabed and move her to shallow water. It took a further two years to shore up the damaged stern and make it water tight for floating into dry dock. Although its timbers held throughout the move, they became exposed and vulnerable once they started to dry out. A constant stream of water had to be pumped over the ship to prevent the hull from disintegrating. Archaeologists cleared seven hundred tonnes of mud, which was sifted for treasures that would provide clues to why the Wasa sank. Hundreds more pieces recovered from the harbour, many of them elaborate sculptures that decorated the ship, explain a whole period of Sweden's history. A laboratory was built nearby for the work of preservation where every artefact, from intricate carvings to insignificant slivers of timber, was marked, measured and preserved. Over the centuries the waters of the Baltic chemically changed the outer layer of the wood, which would flake, crack and shrink beyond repair if allowed to dry without treatment. A substance was required to diffuse through the wood cells, forcing out the water, and setting hard, leaving it free to breathe during the final stage of drying. Research revealed a widely used petroleum product that met these demands. Polyethylene glycol, also used as a lubricant in the forming of metals and a base for ointments, hands creams and lipsticks, reinforces the wood cells and preserves the original shape of the Wasa. Artefacts and the hull itself are housed in a working museum where visitors can see the process of restoration. As more relics move from the laboratory to the museum a picture emerges of life aboard a Swedish warship. Although it is now clear that ineffective design made it unstable, the Wasa remains an excellent example of 17th century craftsmanship.
- A fascinating look at air travel in 1956. From international passenger journeys to the moving of goods and services with a few behind the scenes glimpses of technical aspects of flight, this short film is still enjoyable and surprisingly relevant today.
- A portrait of dancer Ram Gopal.
- The Ilkley Grand National Motor Cycle Trials.
- In 1951, Professor Fell designed a novel express passenger diesel mechanical locomotive for British Railways to compare with the diesel electric locomotives which were to replace steam. The construction of the locomotive at Derbyshire Works is followed and the operation of the unique transmission system is explained. It is depicted as a great success, eliminating the inefficient generation of electricity to drive electric motors. The locomotive design was not perpetuated.
- An introduction to the sport of flying model aircraft. Made with the assistance of the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers.
- A brief history of the progress and development of British aviation, leading up to the commanding position occupied by Britain today in the field of the gas turbine.
- A product carrier is discharging two grades of motor gasoline. It is nearing midnight and Hamilton, the Chief Officer, is tired but coping. A pump room accident ensues with fatal consequences.
- Nurburgring in Germany is the most picturesque and difficult motor racing circuit in the world. Hermann Lang, 1939 Champion of Europe, laps the circuit in a 1937 W125 Mercedes. Graham Hill gives a corner by corner commentary.
- Documentary about the part that roads are playing in Malaysia's Rural Development Plan. Completed April 1964, released May 1964 Photographed by Wolfgang Suschitzky, Eric Chamberlain
- This is the 1958 Coupe des Alpes. Fifty-six production cars from eight countries struggling to win a cup, the dream of every rally driver.
- Documentary about the disease bilharzia.
- This documentary follows the design, production and installation of the lantern stained glass in Liverpool Cathedral, and the use of epoxy resin to bond the glass. In the 1960s two new cathedrals were planned for construction in the centre of Liverpool, UK. The first, an Anglican cathedral, was designed in a traditional form. By contrast, the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King was a strikingly modern design. The architect, Frederick Gibberd, planned the Cathedral of Christ the King as a circular building with a tower made of concrete and stained glass. Two artists, John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens, were commissioned to make the glass. Reyntiens had many years' experience making stained glass following traditional methods. However, the design for the new cathedral called for a new method, using thick glass and reinforced concrete. Collaborating with Piper, Reyntiens decided on a simple design of three great areas of coloured light and a trinity of blue, yellow and red. To achieve their design, the amount of concrete used had to be reduced. The main challenge was to find a material capable of bonding glass to glass and making a joint strong enough to resist even hurricane force winds. After much research, a team of engineers and chemists developed an industrial epoxy resin mix. Strands of fibre glass, coated in epoxy, would be embedded in the bond as reinforcement, in the same way as steel is used to reinforce concrete. The artists then made a full-scale cartoon for each window. The panels, which were 12 feet wide and 1 inch (3.6 metres) thick, were then cast and glazed. The glass was positioned, and the first layer of epoxy resin was squeezed out between them. Finally, the panels were fixed into place. This was the largest commission for stained glass in the history of the Church. This achievement was only accomplished by the joint efforts of the architect, artists, engineers, technologists and craftspeople.
- Paint has responded to a changing world since its earliest beginnings and now plays a crucial role in protection as well as decoration. This documentary uses archive footage to illustrate the evolution of paint's fabrication and usage from stone age to modern day. 30,000 years ago the first painters used hot animal fat for binding simple earth colours. The paste dried to form a thin waterproof film of colour, which was both decorative and durable. Early civilisations of Mesopotamia used the protective properties of bitumen, a pigment and binding medium in one, to waterproof boats. The Egyptians originated paint technology, creating the first synthetic pigment by fusing together silica, malachite and calcium carbonate at a critical temperature. 12th century monks illustrated books, using linseed oil and varnish, but their sticky, slow-drying properties made fine decorative detail difficult. 15th century Flemish artists perfected the technique of fine painting in oils by using resin tapped from pine trees and distilling it to produce turpentine, a solvent, to thin paint for detailed work. Until the end of the 17th century apothecaries or pharmacists, supplied craftsman with paint making materials but as decoration became more elaborate and sophisticated the demand for paint increased and apothecary shops gave way to oil merchants and distillers. The influence of foreign trade brought new innovations such as gums and resins imported from Africa and India and turpentine derived from the pine forests of North America. The popularity of lacquered wares from China and Japan resulted in the building of factories to produce Far Eastern goods in quantity. Varnish making emerged as an enterprise in its own right, marking the beginnings of the modern paint industry. The industrial revolution saw paint used on a large scale as protection against rust on its great iron structures. Manufacturers experimented with new lead and zinc based paints to combat corrosion and with the onset of mass production, craftsmanship gave way to chemistry. Paint evolved from laboratories and was processed through chemical plants on an industrial scale. Paint is older than the wheel and serves a unique purpose in controlling corrosion and advancing the speeds of mass production. Its manufacture has helped establish a major industry based on science, though its existence is owed to art.