Aussie Inventions That Changed The World
8 X 1 HR | 2019 | PRODUCED FOR THE HISTORY CHANNEL
A COPRODUCTION WITH SKINNYDIP PICTURES
Historically Australia has punched well above its weight on the world stage of timely innovations, scientific breakthroughs, and cleverly designed new technologies. Throughout its history this continent has produced an impressive line-up of tenacious inventors, each who envisaged a better way of doing things by finding material answers to the problems of their time, often in the face of enormous resistance. Their work has forever changed the way we live, both in Australia and around the world.
Led by a team of four expert hosts, this entertaining series uncovers how each invention worked, why it was extraordinary in its time and the conditions that lead to its ultimate successes, with a few instructive failures along the way. In contrast to the usual sporting, military and political heroes in Australia, this impressive line-up of tenacious inventors has been largely overlooked. Aussie Inventions That Changed the World shines the spotlight of History on the remarkable Aussie heroes who have played their part on the world stage. This series celebrates their outstanding legacies.
Comedian, actor and, well, brainiac Matt Parkinson heads up a team of expert co-hosts; science journalist Anja Taylor, inventor Sally Dominguez and historian David Hunt. Individually or in pairs they investigate four contrasting inventions within each episode, linked by a common theme. Whether it’s within Communication, Home Life, Wartime, Farm Smart, Medical, Airborne, Food Preservation or Super Vision, inventions span different eras to reveal how Australian inventiveness made its mark in the domain.
In Matt’s words, “What’s really exciting about this series is that it will remind Australians that, at our best, we are a progressive, innovative country. We thrive on challenges and these invention stories are all about people who backed themselves against the odds. Sometimes the best ideas are the ones that stand out from the pack.”Each episode delivers a very contemporary, and often amusing journey through these historical stories as hosts chat with inventors and descendants, historians, engineers and model makers. The action centres around builds, demonstrations, road-tests and experiments. Extraordinary archive vividly evokes the world of the inventor, while quirky animations provide playful moments in these dramatic tales. And linking it all together are the Group Chats, when Matt, Anja, Sally and David discuss and debate the issues of each story, with witty observations and personal musings. And there is much to reflect upon.
As David says, “Australia’s unique history and harsh environment have fostered a truly inventive culture that has gifted the nation with brilliant, opportunistic and oddball thinkers, tinkerers and titans of industry.”
Some improved daily life, while others achieved the extraordinary!
