Watch The Story of 1

The Story of 1 is a fascinating documentary film from 2005 that explores one of the most fundamental concepts in mathematics - the number one. Through a combination of interviews, animations, and real-life examples, the film takes viewers on a journey through history, culture, and science to reveal why the number one is so important and how it has shaped our world.

Hosted by British comedian and former Monty Python member Terry Jones, the film begins with an overview of the concept of numbers and their historical origins. Jones explains that the earliest recorded evidence of counting dates back over 30,000 years, when people used tally sticks to keep track of goods and animals. From there, the film traces the development of number systems in different cultures, such as the ancient Egyptians and Greeks.

One of the key points the film makes is that the notion of 'one' is not as simple as it may seem. While we often take it for granted, the concept of a single, discrete unit is actually an abstract idea that doesn't exist in the physical world. This is demonstrated through examples such as the atom, which is technically made up of smaller particles, and the concept of time, which is continuous and can't be measured in discrete units.

To further explore the many different facets of the number one, the film turns to a variety of experts in different fields. Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy provides insights into the theoretical implications of the concept, such as how one is both a prime number and a factor of every other number. We also hear from Indigenous Australian artist Leo Jampinjinpa Wayne, who discusses the importance of the number one in Indigenous culture, where it is often associated with creation stories.

Throughout the film, the number one is examined through a range of subjects, from music and design to astronomy and physics. For example, we learn about the Golden Ratio, a mathematical proportion often found in art and nature that is derived from the properties of the number one. We also see how cosmologists use the number one to describe the fundamental building blocks of the universe, such as quarks and leptons.

While the concept of one may seem abstract, the film also shows how it has numerous practical applications. We hear about how engineers use the concept of one to build things like bridges and skyscrapers, and how it is the basis for digital technology, such as binary code. The film also touches on the importance of unit of measurement, such as the metre and the kilogram, and how they are defined in terms of the number one.

Overall, The Story of 1 is a thought-provoking and accessible exploration of an often-overlooked concept. Through its mixture of interviews, visual aids, and real-world examples, the film presents a compelling case for the importance of the number one in shaping everything from our understanding of the natural world to the way we create and interact with technology. Whether you're a mathematician or simply interested in the world around you, The Story of 1 is a must-watch documentary that will leave you with a new appreciation for this fundamental concept.