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- Written and presented by James Burke
- Directed by Mick Jackson
- Episode length: 50 minutes
- First aired in 1978
- Network: BBC
- Shot at over 150 locations in 19 countriesPalmers Guide: Connections DVD Information
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Science historian James Burke’s ten part series Connections traces the progression of technology from ancient to modern times. According to Burke, every invention comes from putting the right pieces of already available technology together to build something new. By tracing the history of technology through a series of "triggers," each one of which sets off the next, Burke demonstrates how technology is an interconnected web and how one seemingly unrelated innovation leads to another.
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Names and Events in Part One
- @1:30: James Burke is inside the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. Explaining the world after the invention of the Assembly Line.
- @3:00: Back to 13th Century Europe. The Saxons lived in small scattered communities and kept warm in Manor Houses.
- @3:27: Manor Houses were frequently visited by traveling poets and minstrels who delivered news from the outside world.
- @4:30: These houses thrived by their own as the growing seasons were long and plentiful, that is until the weather changed.
- @4:40: Starting in the 13th century, pack ice began advancing southwards in the Atlantic Ocean, as did glaciers in Greenland.
- @7:38: The shorter growing season meant less grain, breads and wines.
- @8:47: The upper classes of England survived the cold weather by living in places like Hardwick Hall, which was built in 1597.
- @9:11: It was houses like this that laid the blueprint for modern houses.
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Names and Events in Part Two
- @0:05: Many inventions came from the Medieval Ice Age, most out of necessity to keep warm. The fireplace evolved to create separate rooms in the large Manor Houses.
- @2:00: Major 13th Century inventions included knitting and buttons.
- @4:19: Burke shows us how by the 14th Century daily life is accelerating towards modernization.
- @5:30: Hardwick Hall was part of a 16th Century housing boom, and along with glass making, wood being the primary fuel we start to see more of the forests are being cut down, enough to cause concern.
- @6:50: By the 17th Century the glass makers were all sent to Jamestown, Virginia to make use of the vast forests and sand. Because of the hard winters, that didn't last too long.
- @7:45: Because of the failure to make glass efficiently at Jamestown and the desire to make money.
- @8:45: Now for a tale of Queen Elizabeth I and her business dealings of the 16th Century
Names and Events in Part Three
- @2:00: The mining boom was experiencing a problem by the 17th Century as many of the mines began to flood.
- @3:00: The Newcomen Steam Engine is born
- @6:03: There were two coincidences that turned Thomas Newcomen's engine into James Watt's Steam Engine.
- @8:00: James Burke explains how everything comes together to bring us the Steam Engine.
Names and Events in Part Four
- @0:20: The Industrial Revolution was born in the late 18th Century thanks to the Steam Engine.
- @1:22: The Steam Engine increased the number of people who traveled, people were able to trains and boats.
- @5:30: In 1776, Alessandro Volta discovered methane by using an electric pistol of sorts. This device was used all over as at the time Malaria was thought to come from "bad air".
- @8:30: In 1859 Edwin Drake struck oil in Pennsylvania.
James Burke Connections Episode 6 Questions
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Have you watched any of James Burkes documentaries? 2 AnswersAbsolutely! I loved both Connections and The Day the Universe Changed. The episodes that stand out were one where he took a whack at a cow carcass with a claymo... read more -
What is your favourite James Burke clip? 1 AnswerI like The Day the Universe Changed more than the Connections, because I am interested more in the Science field than history. In my point of view, the main hig... read more
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Watch House Episodes Season 6 Episode 6: Known Unknowns (06x06) Full Online,House (S06E06) Online.House Episodes Season 6? 2 AnswersThis is the source from where you can watch House M.D. season 6. Here you will get all the episodes of season 6 to watch and to download also. All the season ar... read more -
Who is James Burke? 2 AnswersJames Burke (born 22 December 1936) is a Northern Irish science historian, author and television producer best known for his documentary television series calle... read more
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