Lectures 2005

The history of the Big Bang

Speaker: Simon Singh
20th April 2005

What is the Big Bang, who came up with the idea and why do we believe in it? This lecture will tell the story of the Big Bang theory, from its birth in the 1920s to the observational evidence that backed it up and then clinched it.

As well as discussing the development of the Big Bang theory, the lecture will cover how new scientific ideas are invented, developed and adopted. This will include the partnership between theory and experiment, and the role of personalities and politics.

The lecture will also feature Led Zeppelin, the Teletubbies and a gherkin.

Dr Simon Singh received his PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge. A former BBC producer, he directed the BAFTA award-winning documentary film, Fermat's Last Theorem, and wrote the book of the same name which became a No.1 bestseller.

His second book, The Code Book, was also a bestseller and the basis for the Channel 4 series, The Science of Secrecy. His latest book, Big Bang, tells the story behind one of the greatest ideas in science, namely the Big Bang model which describes the creation and evolution of the universe.

Simon is also the presenter of Five Numbers on Radio 4 and the host of BBC4's Mind Games.
>>Simon Singh's webpage

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