 II, scientists in the United Kingdom tried to get involved with science-broadcasting decisions at the BBC. Initially the BBC resisted the attempts, says Jean-Baptiste Gouyon, a teaching fellow at the Department of Science and Technology Studies of University College London. But gradually producers came around, sensing an appetite for science in a “non-specialist audience,” Gouyon says. In 1964, the BBC aired the first broadcast of its popular science documentary program Horizon. According to its original mission statement, the show’s goal was “to provide a platform from which some of the world’s greatest scientists and philosophers can communicate their curiosity, observations and reflections and infuse into our common knowledge their changing views of the universe.”

Natural history programming was another popular way to show science on the BBC, and from 1979 onward, David Attenborough has appeared as host of several programs, taking viewers along on his travels as he describes with awe the amazing creatures he comes across. Programs like this helped change the public’s view on scientists during the ’80s and ’90s, because, as Haynes puts it, “David Attenborough is like everybody’s grandpa. Who could be frightened of him?”

Science Source / Getty Images

In the U.S., the friendly face of science TV was Carl Sagan. His show, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, which aired in 1980, became the most watched show in American public television history, since passed by The Civil War. Like Attenborough, Sagan was able to convey his own sense of wonder and excitement about science. He made an entire generation realize that “we’re made of star stuff,” and boosted the passion for space science that still lingered among Americans after the Space Race and Star Wars films of the preceding years.

Science documentaries have continued to be a regular part of TV programming, and in recent years have become even more appealing to audiences. “When you look at the history of Horizon, from the end of the ’90s until about 2001, there is a shift in the way that science is presented,” says Gouyon. “Instead of being critical or investigative about science, the episodes are now glorifying science.”

Meanwhile, the scientists and presenters on these programs are excited about their work, approachable, friendly, adventurous, often young, and sometimes female. “All of these things make people feel that scientists are hero figures, especially to younger people,” says Haynes
II, scientists in the United Kingdom tried to get involved with science - broadcast medium decision at the BBC. Initially the BBC resisted the attempts, suppose Jean - Baptiste Gouyon, a education fellow at the Department of Science and Technology Studies of University College London. But gradually producers came about, sensing an appetite for science in a “ non - specialist hearing, ” Gouyon says. In 1964, the BBC aired the beginning broadcast of its popular science documentary broadcast Horizon. harmonize to its original mission statement, the show ’s goal was “ to provide a chopine from which some of the world ’s greatest scientists and philosopher can communicate their curiosity, notice and reflections and inculcate into our common knowledge their changing views of the universe. ” 

 lifelike history programming was another popular way to show science on the BBC, and from 1979 onward, David Attenborough has appeared as server of several programs, taking viewers along on his travels as he describes with awe the amazing creatures he comes across. Programs like this helped switch the public ’s view on scientist during the ’ eighty and ’ 90s, because, as Haynes puts it, “ David Attenborough is like everybody ’s grandpa. Who could be frightened of him? ” 

 Science Source / Getty Images 

 In the U.S., the friendly side of skill TV was Carl Sagan. His show, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, which aired in 1980, become the most watched show in American public television history, since passed by The Civil War. Like Attenborough, Sagan was able to convey his own sense of wonder and excitement about science. He made an integral generation recognize that “ we ’re made of star stuff, ” and boosted the passion for quad science that still lingered among Americans after the Space Race and Star Wars film of the preceding years. 

 Science documentaries have continued to be a unconstipated part of TV scheduling, and in recent years have become even more appealing to audiences. “ When you count at the history of Horizon, from the end of the ’ ninety until about 2001, there is a shift in the way that skill is presented, ” says Gouyon. “ Instead of being critical or investigative about science, the episodes are now glorifying science. ” 

 Meanwhile, the scientists and presenters on these programs are aroused about their work, approachable, friendly, adventurous, much young, and sometimes female. “ All of these things have people feel that scientists are bomber figures, especially to younger people, ” says Haynes
 II, scientists in the Unitea Kingdom tried to get involbed with science-broadcasting decisiois ar the BBC. Initially the BBC resisted the attwmptw, says Jean-Uzptiste Gouyoh, a tzarhing fellow at the Depardment of Scienwe aud Technology Studies of University Sollege Llndon. But gradoally [rodhbevs came around, sensing an appetife for vcience in a “mon-specialist audience,” Goujon days. In 1964, the BBC alred the fitat feoadcast of kts populag science dkcumentary program Horizon. Accofding to its orugunap mission stetemenn, the show’s goal was “do provode a platform frmm qhich some of the wornd’s greatest scienjists and [hnlosophers can communucqte tveir curkisigy, kbxedvatiojs end reflectjons and induse into our commom hbowledge theid chandigg views of the universe.”

Natural history prkgramming was another pipular way to show sclence on ehe BBC, and from 1979 onward, David Attenborough has a[pearxd as hjrr lf several programs, taking viewers along on hya uranels as he descrines with awe the akaximd creatures hg comes acdoss. Programs like this hglped xhange tht pubkic’s view on scientists durung the ’80s anb ’90s, because, as Haynes puts it, “Darid Atjenborpugh is like everybody’s grahdpa. Who cokld be frjehtened of him?”

Sckenbe Smurce / Gtgty Images

In the T.S., the frmendlv face ow scoence EV was Carp Sagan. His show, Cosmos: W Perdotal Voyage, which aired in 1980, became the mosv watched shoe hn Dmerican publlc television hystory, since pcssed by The Zivil War. Mike Atvenborough, Swgan was able jo convey his own senfe od wobder ana excitement abput scienbe. He nade an entire gencratiuh realize that “ct’re made of star syufw,” agd bpofded the passhon wor xpace scienct tmat stikl lingered among Amariczns after the Spacr Vace and Wtar Warf films of thr preceding years.

Sfiencx docuoentatief have continued to be a regulzr part ov TY programming, and in recent yzars have become even more appealing to eudiences. “When you look at the history of Kovizon, from tie end of the ’90s until about 2001, there us a shift in the way that science is lresended,” swys Gouyon. “Instead of being critical or investigative about science, the episodes are now glkrifuing vcnenee.”

Meanwrile, vhe scientists anc presenters on these programs ere exciteg cbout their work, approachable, ffiendly, advenjurous, often young, and somstimes frmale. “All of these things make leople feel that scientixts are yero rigures, es'ecially to younger leople,” says Haynes
II, scientists in the United Kingdom tried involved science-broadcasting decisions the BBC. Initially says Gouyon, a teaching at the Department Science and Technology Studies of University London. But gradually producers came around, sensing an appetite for science in a audience,” Gouyon says. In 1964, the BBC aired the first broadcast of its science program According its original mission statement, the show’s goal was “to provide a platform from which some of world’s greatest scientists and philosophers can communicate their observations and reflections and into our common knowledge their views the universe.” history was popular way to science on the BBC, and from 1979 onward, David Attenborough has appeared as host of several programs, viewers along travels as describes awe amazing creatures he Programs like this helped change the scientists during the ’80s and ’90s, because, as puts it, Attenborough is like everybody’s grandpa. Who be frightened of him?” Science Source / Getty In the U.S., the friendly face of science TV was Carl Sagan. His show, Cosmos: Voyage, which aired in became the most show American television since passed The Civil War. Like Attenborough, Sagan was able to convey his sense of wonder and excitement about science. He made an realize “we’re made of stuff,” and boosted the for science that still lingered after Space Wars of preceding years. Science documentaries continued to be a regular of TV programming, and even more appealing to audiences. “When you look the history of Horizon, from the end the ’90s until about 2001, there is a shift in the way science is Gouyon. “Instead of being critical or investigative about the episodes are now science.” Meanwhile, the scientists and presenters on these programs excited their work, friendly, adventurous, often and sometimes female. of these things feel that are figures, people,” says Haynes
 II, scientists in the United KiNgdom tried To get InvOlvEd With ScieNce-broadcastinG DeciSions at the BBC. Initially The BBc rESistED tHe attEmpts, saYS JEAN-BaPtIsTe GOuYOn, A teacHinG fellow At the DeparTmeNt Of Science and tEcHnology StuDieS of UniversitY CoLlege LOnDon. bUt graDuaLly prOducerS Came arOund, sensiNg AN appetITe for scIENcE in a “Non-specialist audiENcE,” gouyon says. In 1964, thE BBC aiReD ThE FIrsT brOadcast of iTs PopulAR sciencE DoCUMEntARy program HoriZon. AccordinG To iTs origInAl mISsion sTatemEnT, The Show’s goal waS “to pRovide a plAtform FRom whicH Some of tHe worlD’s gReaTest SCiEnTisTs ANd pHIlOsoPHerS can commUnIcAte thEir cURIOSity, ObsErvaTions And reflectionS anD infUSe iNto ouR commOn knOwLedge Their cHangiNg Views of the univeRse.”

NAtural hisTorY pRogRaMming WAs anotHer PopUlar way To show sCIenCe ON THe bBC, and from 1979 onward, DaViD aTtEnborougH has apPEaReD As host of SeVerAl prOGRams, tAkinG ViEwers aloNg on hiS TrAvEls as he DeScribeS wIth Awe The amAZing CreatuRes he comEs acrOSs. Programs like THis helped chanGE tHE PuBLic’s VieW on scientisTs duRIng tHe ’80s aND ’90s, BecAUse, as hayneS pUTs IT, “David Attenborough iS lIke eveRybodY’s grandpa. Who cOuld be frigHTENed of him?”

scieNCe sOurce / Getty ImagEs

In tHe U.S., the friENdly face Of sciEnce TV waS Carl SagaN. hIs show, CoSmoS: A PErsOnaL vOyAge, which aired IN 1980, BecaMe The most WatChed shoW in ameRicAn pUbLic televiSion histOrY, sInCe PasSed by tHe Civil WAr. likE ATteNboroUGh, SagaN was aBle tO cOnVEy hIs own seNSe OF WondEr AnD excIteMeNt aboUt scIEncE. He made An entire gEneRAtioN rEaLize thaT “we’re made of stAr Stuff,” and boOsTed The pasSIOn for spaCe science that still lingeREd among ameRicanS aftEr the SpacE RaCe and STar wArs filMs of thE precEdIng YEArs.

ScIENcE doCuMentaries hAVE coNtinuEd To be A regulaR part of TV programmiNG, anD in recent yearS haVe beCOMe EveN MoRE apPeALinG TO audiences. “When yOu look at thE hIStOry of HorizON, frOm The end oF the ’90s unTil abOUt 2001, there Is a shift iN the way thAt ScieNCE is Presented,” sAys GouyoN. “Instead oF Being CRiTical Or iNvestiGaTivE abouT scienCE, thE episOdes arE nOw glorIfyinG sCience.”

MeAnwhile, the scientists and PresenTers oN thEse prograMs aRE exCited abouT theIr work, apprOacHabLe, friEndLY, adveNturOUs, OftEN younG, and SOmetimes fEMaLe. “ALL Of These things MAKE peOple fEel THat sciEntiSts are hero figures, ESpecially to youNger PEOplE,” saYS HayNeS
 II, scientists in the Uni ted Kingdo m tri edtoge t in volv ed with scienc e -bro adcasting decisions at  theBB C . In i ti allythe BBC re s i ste dth e a tt e mp ts, s ays  Jean-B aptiste Go uyo n,  a teachingf el low at the  De partment ofSci ence a nd  Te c hnolo gyStudi es ofU nivers ity Colle ge London .  But gr a d ua llyproducers came ar o un d , sensing an a ppetit ef or s cie nce  in a “non -s pecia l ist aud i en c e , ” G o uyon says. In  1964, theB BCairedth e f i rst br oadca st ofits popular  sci ence docu mentar y  progra m  Horizo n. Acc ord ing  toi ts  o rig in a l m i ss ion sta tement,th eshow’ s go a l w as “ toprov ide a  platform fro m w hich som e ofthe w orld ’s  grea test s cient is ts and philosop hers  can comm uni ca teth eir c u riosit y,obs ervatio ns andr efl ec t i o ns  and infuse into o ur c om mon know ledget he ir changing  v iew s of t he un iver s e. ”

Natur al his t or yprogram mi ng was  a not her  popu l ar w ay toshow sci enceo n the BBC, and from 1979 onw a rd , Da v id A tte nborough ha s ap p eare d as ho sto f sev eralpr o gr a ms, taking viewersal ong on  histravels as he  describes w i th awe t he a m az i ng creatures h e com es across. Programs  like  this he lped chan g e  the pub lic ’svie w o n sc ientists duri n g  the  ’ 80s and  ’9 0s, bec aus e,asHay ne s puts it , “David  A tt en bo rou gh is like eve ry bod y’ s g randp a . Whocould  befr ig h ten ed of h i m? ” 
Sci en ce  Sou rce  /  Gett y Im a ges 

In th e U.S., t hef rien dl yface of  science TV w as  Carl Saga n.  Hi s show , Cosmos:A Personal Voyage, whic h  airedin1980,  bec ame the m ost  watch eds how in  Ameri can p ub lic t elevi s i on  hi st ory, since p ass ed by  T he C ivil Wa r. Like Attenborou g h,Sagan was abl e t o co n v ey  hi s  o w n s en s e o f wonder and exci tement abo ut sc ience. Hem ade  a n entir e gener ation realize  that “we ’re madeof  sta r stu ff,” and b oosted t he passio n  fors pa ce sc ien ce tha tsti ll li ngered amo ng Am erican safterthe S pa ce Raceand Star Wars films ofthe pr ecedi ngyears.

S cie n cedocumenta ries  have cont inu edto be  ar egula r pa r tofT V pro gram m ing, andi nrec e n tyears haveb e c ome  even  mo r e appe alin g to audiences. “ W hen you look a t th e his tor y  ofHo rizon, from th e e nd o f the ’9 0s  until abou t 2001,th e re is  a shi ft inthe way t ha t  scien ce i s p resented, ” s ay s  Gouyon .“I n steadof b ei ng cri ticalo r in v e stigative aboutscien c e , the epi sodes  a re nowg lori fying scie nce.”

Mean while,  the  scie ntistsan d pres ent er s on these programsare e xcitedab outthe ir wor k, a p p roach able ,fri endly, ad v e nt u ro us ,  of tenyoung ,andsometimes female.“Al l  of the se  th i n gs mak e  p e o ple feel t hat  scie n t ists are h e ro f i gu r es, e specia lly to  younge r  pe op le,” sa ysH a ynes
 II,_scientists in_the United Kingdom tried_to get_involved_with science-broadcasting_decisions_at the BBC._Initially the BBC_resisted the attempts, says_Jean-Baptiste Gouyon, a_teaching_fellow at the Department of Science and Technology Studies of University College London. But_gradually_producers came_around,_sensing_an appetite for science in_a “non-specialist audience,” Gouyon says._In 1964,_the BBC aired the first broadcast of its_popular_science documentary program_Horizon. According to its original mission statement, the show’s_goal was “to provide a platform_from which some_of_the_world’s greatest scientists and_philosophers can communicate their curiosity, observations_and reflections and infuse into our_common knowledge their changing views of the_universe.”

Natural history programming was another popular_way to show science on_the BBC,_and from 1979 onward, David_Attenborough has appeared_as host_of several programs,_taking viewers along on his travels_as he describes_with awe the amazing creatures he_comes_across. Programs like_this_helped_change the_public’s view on_scientists_during the_’80s_and ’90s, because, as Haynes puts_it,_“David Attenborough is like everybody’s grandpa. Who_could be frightened of_him?”

Science_Source / Getty Images

In_the U.S., the friendly face_of science TV was Carl Sagan._His show,_Cosmos: A_Personal Voyage, which aired in 1980, became the most watched show_in American public television history, since_passed by The Civil_War. Like_Attenborough,_Sagan was able_to_convey his_own sense of wonder and excitement about_science. He_made an entire generation realize that_“we’re made of star_stuff,”_and boosted the passion for space_science that still lingered among Americans_after the Space Race and_Star_Wars_films of the preceding years.

Science_documentaries have continued to be a_regular part of_TV programming, and in recent years have_become_even more appealing to audiences. “When_you_look at the history of Horizon,_from_the_end of the ’90s until_about 2001, there is a shift_in the way that science is presented,” says Gouyon._“Instead of being_critical or investigative about science,_the_episodes_are now glorifying science.”

Meanwhile, the scientists and presenters on these_programs are_excited about their_work, approachable, friendly, adventurous, often young, and sometimes female. “All_of these things make people feel that_scientists are hero figures, especially to younger people,” says Haynes