The Johns Hopkins Science Review Lynn Poole

poole began producing weekly, live television program johns hopkins science review in 1948. poole not educated scientist, nonetheless wrote of programs, , acted on-air host , interviewer. lafollete describes it, new phenotype , created persona of scientist s facile promoter , authoritative interpreter. each week s half-hour show typically introduced 1 or more guests, johns hopkins faculty , staff. guest might show how scientific apparatus such electron microscope or oscilloscope worked, or briefly explain scientific ideas viewers. in december 5, 1950 episode, live broadcast of fluoroscope screen used doctors in new york , chicago diagnose injuries machinist in hospital in baltimore. show demonstrated medical possibilities both of fluoroscope , of television itself. in april 21, 1952 episode, scientist drank solution containing radioactive isotope of iodine, , followed progress in own body geiger counter. poole did demonstrations himself, such eating grasshopper on live television. guests included national figures rocket scientist wernher von braun (october 20, 1952). shows served conduits public information, in show of april 3, 1951 on biological warfare, featured norman kiefer of federal civil defense administration.

lucanio , coville have written, unique series in time of political , social conservatism, science review tackled controversial issues seeming lack of concern possible repercussions. while other shows sidestepped use of word pregnant , example, science review amazingly forthright in showing first live birth on television. in related episode, science review presented straightforward program demonstrating women viewers how examine breast cancer, , went on talk frankly mastectomies.

from 1950 1955, program syndicated nationally dumont television network, , won peabody awards in 1950 (honorable mention) , 1952. poole produced 3 successor series through 1960, when johns hopkins ended production. kinescope films survived many episodes of these series, unusual live television. copies have been archived @ johns hopkins library.

poole documented techniques developed television programming devoted science in 1950 book, science via television. lafollette notes that, production approaches standard practice on nova , discovery channel derive, in fact, experimentation television pioneers lynn poole , don herbert , such programs adventure, zoo parade, science in action, , bell telephone system s science specials. these efforts influenced television s love of dramatic, refined during first decade , continuing shape news , public affairs programming, fiction , fantasy, today.