Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

The Reith Lectures

Podcasts

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series.

BBC Radio 4 LW

The Reith Lectures: Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation: Our National Need of Science

1956: Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation

11/11/1956

Our National Need of Science

Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation, Our National Need of Science

Professor Edward Appleton considers the UK's relationship with science.

Professor Edward Appleton considers the UK's relationship with science in his first lecture from his series entitled 'Science and the Nation'.

This year's Reith Lecturer is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, Sir Edward Appleton. He is the former Professor of Physics at King's College London (1924–36), and former Professor of Natural Philosophy at Cambridge University (1936–39). From 1939 to 1949 he was Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and during this time he was knighted. He received the 1947 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the knowledge of the ionosphere, which led to the development of radar. In his Reith series entitled 'Science and the Nation', he considers the importance of science.

In his first lecture entitled 'Our National Need of Science', Professor Appleton considers the United Kingdom's relationship with science. He discusses some of the problems which arise from that relationship, and makes the case for greater improvements in our application of science into industry. 

The Reith Lectures: Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Physicist and Nobel-prize winner Edward Appleton examines scientific activity in Britain.

The British physicist and Nobel-prize winner Sir Edward Appleton delivers six Reith lectures on the many facets of scientific activity in Britain.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Reith Lectures

Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation

Our National Need of Science

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4