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The Hidden Kingdom

The first part explores how centuries of scientific and religious dogma were overturned by the earliest discoveries of the existence of cells, and how scientists came to realize that there was, literally, more to life than meets the eye. “What is life and where does it come from?” are two of the key questions asked by Rutherford. Well chief among the stars of this opening episode is 17th-century Dutch linen merchant Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, now known as the father of microbiology, whose work on an amazing viewing machine (an early microscope) transformed the way we see the world, and kicked off the journey to answering that question about where life came from.

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  • Originally Aired August 12, 2009
  • Runtime 60 minutes
  • Network BBC Four
  • Created July 30, 2018 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified November 1, 2023 by
    sebastian.waslbc4
Name Type Role
Dr Adam Rutherford Guest Star
Andrew Thompson Director