Fax Machine, The / The Lift

Synopsis

Tim Hunkin humorously explains the workings of some familiar machines. His technique is to present the scientific principles and show how the machines evolved by using demonstrations and animated cartoon sequences.
1: Follows the evolution of the fax machine, invented by Scotsman Alexander Bain as the pantelegraph before the telephone but almost unknown in the 1970s. Shows a human fax demonstration using a paint roller, and explains the electronics of a modern fax machine.
2: The history of the lift, explaining the principle with a simple rope-and-pulley device and showing developments from Otis’s first machine to modern versions, which are fully automatic.

Series

Secret Life of Machines, The

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 52 min.

Year of production

1992

Availability

Sale; 1997 sale: £14.99 (+VAT +p&p)

Notes

Broadcast on C4 on 18/2/93 and 25/2/93.

Subjects

Technology

Keywords

lifts; office machines

Credits

Director

Frank Prendergast

Producer

Elizabeth Queenan

Writer

Tim Hunkin

Cast

Rex Garrod
Tim Hunkin

Sections

Title

Fax machine, The

Synopsis

1: Follows the evolution of the fax machine, invented by Scotsman Alexander Bain as the pantelegraph before the telephone but almost unknown in the 1970s. Shows a human fax demonstration using a paint roller, and explains the electronics of a modern fax m

Title

Lift, The

Synopsis

2: The history of the lift, explaining the principle with a simple rope-and-pulley device and showing developments from Otis's first machine to modern versions, which are fully automatic.

Production Company

Name

Artifax Productions

Sponsor

Name

Channel Four Television

Phone

071-396 4444

Address

LONDON
SW1P 2TX

Distributor

Name

Team Video Productions

Email

admin@team-video.co.uk

Web

http://www.team-video.co.uk/ External site opens in new window

Phone

020 8960 5536

Fax

020 8960 9784

Address

PO Box 38194
London
W10 5WZ

Notes

Producer and distributor of DVD-based teaching packs for schools and colleges that aim to stimulate discussion on issues in areas including citizenship, religious education, critical thinking, energy and environment, and careers/work experience.