Science & Technology

In 1706 a little-known mathematics teacher named William Jones first used a symbol to represent the platonic concept of pi, an ideal that in numerical terms can be approached, but never reached.

In 1969 men set foot on the Moon for the first time. The Apollo space programme that put them there was the product of an age of optimism and daring very different from our own, argues André Balogh.

Patricia Fara recounts the moving story of a gifted contemporary of Isaac Newton who came to symbolise the frustrations of generations of female scientists denied the chance to fulfil their talents.

The founding father of nuclear physics was awarded the highest honour on December 10th, 1908.

Nick Pelling suggests that credit should go not to the Netherlands but much further south to Catalonia.

Historians have long argued whether the years 1500-1700 saw a revolutionary change in the art and organization of war. Jeremy Black reports.

John Logie Baird gave the first demonstration of a colour television transmission on 3 July 1928.

Commentators have tended to play down the importance of London as a business and industrial centre since 1500, argues Theo Barker, and in the process have distorted the saga of Britain’s economic rise and fall.

Walter Harris introduces the retired soldier who brought sound recording to Britain.

A figurehead for progress before his political disgrace, in later life Lindberg became concerned about the impact of technology on the environment.