Ep 6. Captured Light
- TV-14
- December 15, 1996
- 46 min
-
6.9 (10)
Captured Light is the sixth episode of the third season of the popular television series Modern Marvels. The show examines the various methods and techniques used to capture, transmit and display light throughout history, from ancient Greek theories to modern-day technologies.
Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a journey through the history of light capture, exploring the development of photography and other light-sensitive technologies. The show surveys the early uses of natural light, such as the use of mirrors in ancient Greece to harness the sun's power as a weapon of war, as well as the use of lenses and prisms to focus light in early telescopes.
Captured Light delves into the earliest photographic techniques, starting with the earliest known camera obscuras and the development of silver-gelatin printing processes. Viewers are introduced to a diverse range of modern-day specialists in the field of light capture - from astronomers to medical imaging experts - and learn about the technological breakthroughs that have made modern-day imaging possible.
The episode also explores the many ways in which light can be captured and transmitted through different media. From the earliest telegraph and radio signals to the more recent development of fiber optic cables, the show looks at how light has been harnessed, contained, and transmitted across ever-increasing distances.
Viewers are also taken into modern-day laboratories to witness the latest attempts at capturing virtually undetectable forms of light, such as neutrinos and dark matter. Scientists showcase next-gen technologies and instruments, including the development of ultra-sensitive cameras and sensors, which promise to open new vistas of knowledge and discovery.
Overall, Captured Light is a fascinating exploration of our ongoing evolution in the use of this most basic and fundamental of natural phenomena. The show not only provides a historical journey through the fascinating world of light capture, but also offers a glimpse into the many directions that light technology may take us in the years and decades to come.