James Burke seduced me into studying history by making me think I was learning about science.  The original episodes of Connections have generous  heaps of just plain history thrown in, but with a cynical view of western civilization for humour.  Quite often it is dark humour, and often you will groan as "Galvani galvanized his audience" or someone "took to it with all the gay abandon of an achoholic in a brewery" is used for the sixth time. Some of Burke's phrases are charming used once but a bit strained when used again and again, such as "a mere bagatel." However, we can easily forgive Burke because of his engaging enthusiasm for his work.  And most viewers would not notice the re-used phrases, but having either viewed or listened to the original Connections at least 25 times - it really is good commuting material - well I have practically memorized the whole lot. Burke loves to be dramatic. He tells about the development of the airplane as the camera pulls back to reveal he is standing on a Concorde.  He travels to hundreds of locations in dozens of countries and uses a heap of BBC stock footage.   Here follows a summary of the flow of each episode.   I wrote many of the summaries on Wikipedia, so they are very similar to these summaries.
	Connections - an alternative view of change by James Burke

Original Series

Connections²

	Connections - Episode 1 - "The Trigger Effect" Both the beginning and the end of the story are here. The end is our present dependence on complex technological networks illustrated by the NYC power blackouts. Life came almost to a standstill: support systems taken for granted failed. How did we become so helpless? Technology originated with the plow and agriculture. Each invention demands its own follow-up: once started, it is hard to stop. This segment ends in Kuwait, where society has leapt from ancient Egypt to the technology of today in 30 years.    In the gathering darkness of a cold winter evening on 9 November 1965, just before sixteen minutes and eleven seconds past five o'clock, a small metal cup inside a black rectangular box began slowly to revolve. The plow, buildings, writing, taxation and astronomy interdependently all connect to bring us the story of BBC's James Burke, of man's dependence on a complex technology; each invention demanding a follow-up; each intellectual and economic advance creating a point of no return. Burke traces the incredible chain of events, the culmination to date, of which allowed Kuwait to make a single leap from ancient Egypt into a modern society in one generation. In Upper Egypt, host James Burke explains how plowing, building, writing, taxation, and astronomy began and how they became interdependent. Man's present dependence on complex technological networks is illustrated with a reconstruction of the New York City power blackout of 1965. The program ends in Kuwait, the nation which has moved from the technology of ancient Egypt to that of the modern world in a single generation. how you are dependent on technology and do not think that much about it network of technology elevators brakes on cars New York City - technology island the black out in New England, particularly New York suppose the power were gone permanently can you survive without technology can you find a farm can you defend the farm can you find what to eat can you plant crops you need an old fashioned plow ancient people had problem of climate change to hot & arid around Nile used plow to feed the people beginning of civilization measurement to return land to farmer after annual floods strong central government pyramids Saudi Arabia and the explosive infusion of technology without understanding it each invention acts as a trigger for change which produces a new invention each invention does not come out of thin air - the bits and pieces that are already there come together in the right way why does it begin 2600 years ago with a touchstone?
	Connections - Episode 2 - "Death in the Morning" Connect the year 2500 years ago, when the touch stone became a way of determining the purity of gold with the standardization of metals; Alexander the Great's nautical library, and the discovery of the magnet and subsequently, the compass. This series of discoveries and inventions gave rise to worldwide commerce. Ships could sail at night and on cloudy days. Magnetism led to the discovery of electricity, radar and the awesome release of atomic energy. Traces the connection between standardization of precious metals used in coins, the great commercial center and library built by Alexander the Great, development of the compass, and creation of the atomic bomb. touchstone tells you that you can trust gold accept metal and hence coins trade stimulated Alexander the Great and trade center library of Alexandria sailors coming in and out of Alexandria navigation, maps, stars square sails 700 AD - pirates latine sail - more trade stern post rudder 1453 Turks take over Constantinople (heavy cost to get goods through territory) porta-land charts magnetic compass why doesn't compass point true north magnetism/metals sparks, static electricity vacuum weather high altitude balloons Scottish highland weather study Ben Nevis a "glory" cloud chamber lightning radio/atmospheric interaction radar nuclear reactors/bombs
	Connections - Episode 3 - "Distant Voices" The introduction of the saddle stirrup at the Battle of Hastings by the Normans, triggered a whole series of innovations in the science of warfare; the armor, the shield, the very concept of knighthood. The cannon and a silver strike, spawned the serendipities of Galileo. The vacuum pump and air pressure were discovered in Galileo's attempt to extract silver from deep mines. Widespread experiments ultimately led to the discovery of magnetism, electricity, radio, radar and promise to help unravel the mysteries of deep space communications. Traces the connection between medieval advances in the science of warfare, the discovery of large silver deposits in Czechoslovakia, the discovery of natural laws, and the invention of modern telecommunications. nuclear bomb Battle of Hastings stirrup family name identifying marks Agincourt - Welch long bow plow crop rotation gun powder bell making bombard silver mines tallers water wheels blast furnace metal mining sump pumps vacuum study barometer electrical charges Galvani Volta battery electro-magnetism telephone inter-stellar communication
	Connections - Episode 4 - "Faith in Numbers" The organizations of systems, Burke says, in economics mechanics and electronics is examined with each interrelation to the Roman Empire, the monastery, the loom and tabulations to global communications. The rise of commercialism followed the Crusades; the plague Black Death, set the state for the invention of the printing press. How? Shows how such inventions as the water mill, carillon, jacquard loom, and a global communications network were influenced by each other and by logic, genius, chance, and unforeseen events. Also deals with the inventions and events which gave rise to the printing press. James Burke explains the relationship between hot air balloons and laughing gas, and goes on to surgery, hydraulic water gardens, hydraulic rams, tunneling through the Alps, the Orient Express, nitroglycerin, heart attacks & headaches, aspirin, carbolic acid, disinfectant, Mabach-Gottlieb Daimler-Mercedes, carburetors, and helicopters. GPS satellite navigation fall of Roman Empire water power mills, trip hammers, pumps Midieval Industrial Revolution Cistertian Monasteries wool production weaving loom spinning wheel cloth marketing silk/international trade investment capital agreements plague clothes boom paper printing book boom mechanical devices jacquard loom US immigration census punched card computers
	Connections - Episode 5 - "The Wheel of Fortune" The Computer Age rested on discoveries 3000 years earlier by priests and astronomers who studied the moon to determine planting and harvest time. Discovery of a treasure trove of ancient Greek manuscripts led to a bursting spirit of inquiry. More precision devices were needed for navigation which prompted the development of the pendulum clock, the telescope, forged steel and the idea of interchangeable parts. Interchangeable parts! - the basis for modern industry. Traces the connection between astrology, ancient Greek medical manuscripts, the need for precise measuring devices, and the invention of such things as the telescope, forged steel, and interchangeable machine parts.   computers predicting astronomical events using instruments for astronomy discovery of planets geocentric universe books of ancient Greek knowledge struggle of church against knowledge and discovery problem of getting prayer at right time in the middle of the night water alarm clock verge and folliet time controls work force springs for portable clocks - Nuremberg egg clock accuracy challenges geocentric universe telescope Jupiter has moons Galileo also discovered pendulum clock Huygens did astronomy and navigation with clock sailors needed a clock as good as pendulum to navigate need for good steel for springs for clocks coke fired glass making furnaces Huntsman's steel marking sextants accurately precision machining block and tackle making factories and assembly lines interchangeability time motion study production line system for democratized possessions
	Connections - Episode 6 - "Thunder in the Skies" A colder climate in the 13th century froze Greenland solid, produced icebergs in the north Atlantic; this situation in the next seven centuries changed the course of history. Buildings were erected for a colder climate; as wood became scarce, new sources of energy were necessary. The Industrial Revolution spurred advances in the steam engine and navigation, which in-turn transformed the face of the country. A pause in history later, the gasoline engine unveiled the heavens to humans. Details many of the changes in building construction and energy usage which occurred when the climate of Europe changed dramatically in the 13th century. He shows how the scarcity of firewood contributed to the invention of the steam engine, which was the predecessor of gasoline-powered engines used today. production line tremendous variety energy from single source - earth, electricity grid, what if the cold comes as it did before manor houses got chimneys Hardwick hall buttons, knitting, tapestries plaster walls intellectual activity enabled privacy indoor plumbing glass windows cutting down forests to make glass save the forests for the Navy glassmakers sent to America bronze cannon wool market need brass combs coal used to make glass frees coke for brass mines, flooding in mines brewer's boiler steam engine water pump Newcombman's engine boring cannons so they don't blow up industrial age genetic mixing by transportation Joseph Priestly discovers CO2 in brewer's vat soda water sparks for gas investigation marsh gases capacitor glass spark gun malaria investigation whale oil getting scarce petroleum discovery Daemler & Mabach internal combustion engine add spark plug scent sprayer becomes carburetor Wilhelm Kress's failed sea plane jet plane
	Connections - Episode 7 - "The Long Chain" The British in the 1600's vied for sea supremacy, induced America to produce pitch to protect their ship's hulls. In 1776, the British sought other sources, especially coal tar. Subsequent experiments with coal tar yielded the gas light lamps, waterproof garments and brilliant dyes. In 1939, the first miracle plastic nylon was introduced. From coal tar! A whole plastic phenomena. Traces the connection between mercantile competition between the British and Dutch in the 17th century, the development of a coal-tar pitch to protect ship hulls, and the creation of waterproofed clothing, gaslight lamps, and nylon. 747 jet air freighter compare to Flying Dutchman shipping insurance Lloyd's of London pitch for ship bottoms cotton factories coal gas lighting copper boat bottoms ammonia naphtha rubberized raincoats nutmegs/spices plantation building malaria quinine water gin and tonic artificial quinine artificial dye synthetic fertilizer acetylene lamps calcium carbide artificial fertilizer (again) German Navy plastics
	Connections - Episode 8 - "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry" The introduction of the pike, a 14th century pointed weapon, led to the development of an infantry and subsequently to the landing on the moon. The infantry need food. Food spoiled. Bottles were sterilized. The British tried cans. Canned food spoiled. Gas could be stored in cans or thermos flasks, a device popular with polar explorers, brides and gas was "hot-stuff". It propelled rockets! - because a pike was invented. Traces the connection between military arms used during the time of Charles the Bold, canning, refrigeration, and modern space rockets. plastic credit Dukes of Burgundy country run on credit Swiss pikes Apomist gun musket bayonette, paper cartridge bottled food canned food paper money automatic paper mill compressed air cycle air conditioning frozen beef brewing German lager beer at cold temperatures in summer ammonia cycle refrigerator liquefying gases for limelight, welding holding liquid hydrogen in a Dewar V2 Saturn V rocket to the moon
	Connections - Episode 9 - "Countdown" A carbon arc, a spoked-wheel, consecutive images and a reflector with billiard ball coating, combined with the mind of curious Thomas Edison and motion pictures emerge. George Eastman and slightly exploded gun cotton made celluloid to record pictures. Combine Eastman's film and Edison's motion pictures and a motion picture film of near permanence is the resultant product; now television. Traces the discoveries and inventions which gave rise to the motion picture. Poses the question of whether we have become trapped by our own technology due to the power of the mass media. Saturn V cannon fortresses aiming the the guns with theodolites Henry VIII divorce surveying and mapping land confiscated from Church limelight helps surveying gun cotton artificial ivory for billiard balls from celluloid projector using limelight horse bet - motion pictures signals for railways using Morse telegraph Edison makes a lightbulb feasible Edison gets with Eastman to make motion picture film kinetiscope sound on film through photocells television accelerated change through television
	Connections - Episode  10 - "Yesterday, Tomorrow, and You" Why did we do it this way? Why did it happen to me? Burke asks, can the man on the street relate to the complexities around him? Can he maintain control of his destiny? How about the availability of information? Is man trapped in his complexities? Presents essential moments from the previous programs in the series in order to illustrate common factors that make for change at different times and in different places. Also looks at the extent to which people are becoming increasingly incapable of understanding complex changes in the modern world. Points out a need for a radical change in the availability and use of information in the future. change accelerates the plow craftsman civilization irrigation pottery and writing mathematics floods - calendar empires modern world where change happens so rapidly you can't keep up several choices, but in the end it only makes sense to continue on

Connections 3 
1. Feedback

 

In the twenty-first century, electronic agents will be our servants on the great web of knowledge. They will use the kind of feedback that won World War II. Feedback mathematics is invented to help guns hit their targets. The concept of feedback originated in the vineyards of France by a wine-maker and physiologist named Claude Bernard. His ex-wife began the Humane Society, created to save people from drowning. Drownings increased due to an increase in shipping. All of this eventually leads to the hiring of a doctor at a sanitarium in Michigan. The doctor tries out new diets on the patients. The most successful product is named after him -- Kellogg's cornflakes.
Electronic agents on the internet and wartime guns use feedback techniques discovered in the first place by Claude Bernard, whose vivisection experiments kick off animal rights movements called humane societies that really start out as lifeboat crews rescuing people from all the shipwrecks happening because of all the extra ships out there who are using Matthew Maury's data on wind and currents transmitted by the radio telegraph, invented by Sam Morse, who's also a painter whose hero is Washington Allston, who spends time in Italy with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who comes to Malta and spies for the governor Alexander Ball who saved Admiral Horatio Nelson's skin so he can go head over heals for Emma Hamilton in Naples, resulting in an illegitimate son. Emma became notable in the Electrico-Magnetico Celestial Bed, where you go regain your fertility through electricity, and you can get more whiskey thanks to Dr. Joe Black, who figured the latent heat of vaporization in steam. James Watt borrowed that information to make a better steam engine. Watt is linked to Roebuck who discovered chlorine bleach which eventually is used to make white paper. The paper is used for decorating walls by Morris who's a socialist with Annie Besant, who is a vegetarian just like the Seventh Day Adventists. And we end up with Kellogg's cornflakes.
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2. What's in a Name

3. Drop the Apple

4. An Invisible Object

5. Life is No Picnic

6. Elementary Stuff

7.  A Special Place

8. Fire from the Sky

9. Hit the Water

10. In Touch

James Burke at a book signing in November, 1996.

Interesting sites:

The James Burke Web Repository

CNET personalities - movers and shakers - James Burke

James Burke : About the Author

UnAuthorized James Burke

Connections

Ambrose Video - sellers of James Burke DVDs and Video Tapes

Some of this information comes from Paul Laszlo, Peter Kim, and others.  Last updated 05/12/2010 .

Last updated 7/21/97