Second in a series of seven films about the source of human abilities.

'I can remember 50 years ago as if it was yesterday - but ask me what I did five weeks ago and I've no idea.' So says the late Stanley Holloway recalling his early days for this programme, and underlining the unpredictable nature of memory. A middle-aged man in California can remember his life before 1960, but virtually nothing since then. Aborigine children from the Australian bush have a staggering visual memory. A 'memory man' pits his wits against Ernie, the Premium Bond computer, in an investigation of the many strands of memory.

By unpicking the complex machinery of the brain which stores our memories, scientists are finding changes in the brain cells which may be permanent and are the first clues to the mystery of memory. Some day there may even be a medicine to cure forgetfulness.