Richard Collins wrote in to let us know that those interested can now see past Royal Institution Christmas Lectures online: “The Royal Institution Lectures Christmas Lectures in the UK are aimed at children and have been running as long as I can remember, and i’m 45. Will be transmitted by the BBC but I believe will be available to all for free.”
Apparently this tradition began in 1825, only missing 1939-42 due to WWI. This year’s lecture is particularly Adafruit-appropriate — Prof Danielle George – Sparks will fly: How to hack your home:
A revolution is happening. Across the world people are taking control of the devices we use every day, customising them, creating new things and using the sparks of their imagination to change the world. Now it’s your turn, and you can start with the things you have around you.
Electrical and electronics engineer, Prof Danielle George will take three great British inventions – a light bulb, a telephone and a motor – and show you how to adapt them and transform them to do extraordinary things. This is tinkering for the 21st century, using the full array of cutting edge devices that we can lay our hands on: 3D printers, new materials, online collaboration and controlling devices through coding.
Inspired by the great inventors and standing on the shoulders of thousands of people playing at their kitchen table or in their shed, Danielle will announce the new rules of invention and show you how to use modern tools and technologies and things from your home to have fun and make a difference to the world around you.
Anything could happen. Sparks will fly.