Self Drives - Maxwell's Equations

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01Maxwell's Edinburgh20151123Will Self embarks on a road trip from Edinburgh to Cambridge on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS all possible.

In a bid to understand Maxwell and his achievements, Will plans to drive 600 miles in an electric car, stopping off at locations relevant to the much neglected 19th century physicist.

Will's trip starts promisingly enough when he has a chance encounter with Nobel prize-winning physicist Professor Peter Higgs on an Edinburgh back street not far from Maxwell's birthplace. But things then start to go awry as Will has a rather less welcome run-in in a multi-storey car park...

Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self's trip starts promisingly with a chance encounter with physicist Sir Peter Higgs

Will Self goes on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell

02Maxwell At Glenlair20151124Will Self continues his 600 mile road trip on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS all possible.

In a bid to understand Maxwell and his legacy, Will plans to drive from Edinburgh to London in an electric car, stopping off at locations relevant to the much neglected 19th century physicist.

Today Will's at Glenlair, Maxwell's country estate, where he attempts to get to grips with what inspired the physicist's scientific imagination. Will's electric car, on the other hand, is proving somewhat less than inspirational...

Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self is at Glenlair, James Clerk Maxwell's country estate.

Will Self goes on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell

03Maxwell And A Chinese Dinner20151125Will Self continues his 600 mile road trip on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS possible.

In a bid to understand Maxwell and his legacy, Will is driving from Edinburgh to London in an electric car, accompanied by Akram Khan, professor of particle physics at Brunel University.

Over a Chinese meal in Manchester, Will expresses fundamental concerns about the nature and value of scientific progress. Akram is troubled by Will's misgivings.

Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self expresses deep concerns about the nature and value of scientific progress.

Will Self goes on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell

04Maxwell In Space20151126Will Self continues his 600 mile road trip on the trail of much neglected Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS possible.

In a bid to feel the wonder of Maxwell's work and legacy, Will is driving from Edinburgh to London in an electric car, accompanied by Akram Khan, professor of particle physics at Brunel University.

Following a clash of views about the value of scientific progress, Will & Akram drive to Jodrell Bank Observatory in a bid to understand more about the application of Maxwell's equations.

Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self visits Jodrell Bank in a bid to understand the application of Maxwell's work.

Will Self goes on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell

05Maxwell's Genius20151127Will Self concludes his 600 mile road trip on the trail of much neglected Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS possible.

In a bid to feel the wonder of Maxwell's work and legacy, Will is driving from Edinburgh to London in an electric car, accompanied by Akram Khan, professor of particle physics at Brunel University.

Will ends his journey in Cambridge posing the question: was Maxwell really a genius?

Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self concludes his 600-mile road trip on the trail of physicist James Clerk Maxwell.

Will Self goes on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell