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All Seasons

Season 1

Season 2

Season 11

  • S11E01 Christmas Special

    • December 23, 1975
    • BBC One

    Christmas special of the science magazine programme from 1975. Raymond Baxter, William Woollard, Michael Rodd and Judith Hann invite a party of children to their workshop, where young and old can enjoy magic moments of science.

Season 15

  • S15E17 Review of the 1970s

    • December 27, 1979
    • BBC One

    A retrospective of the 1970s, including the changes in technology, changes that were expected and didn't happen, and how the programme itself has changed.

  • S15E40 Review of 1980

    • July 18, 1980
    • BBC One

    As 'Tomorrow's World' goes off the air for a summer break, the series concludes with a timely look back at some items from the past year. Michael Rodd simplifies solar physics and studies otters in a California zoo, while Kieran Prendiville road-tests a new timber tractor. Judith Hann demonstrates a phone-operated heart monitor and scales new heights with a DIY lift, and Prendiville returns to bash out a tune on a new synthesiser that can sample real sounds.

Season 17

  • S17E01 Touch-Screen Computers and Angioplasty

    • October 14, 1982
    • BBC One

    The technology that allows you to operate a computer by simply touching its screen is premiered in this edition of the science magazine programme. The presenters also explore a new technique that promises to revolutionise cardiac bypass surgery and discover why sniffing robots are helping Britain's car industry. Finally, an item about a new type of water pouch developed for athletes gives Peter Macann an excuse to slip into his wetsuit.

  • S17E50 9th Dec 1982

    • December 9, 1982
    • BBC One

Season 20

  • S20E01 Jet-lag Cure and Holograms

    • March 3, 1983
    • BBC One

    Judith Hann investigates the properties of melatonin as a cure for jet-lag, there's a demonstration of the latest preservation techniques for antique books and Kieran Prendiville attempts to set fire to £500. Items on holograms, vibrating watches for deaf people and a trailer that doubles as a boat are also included in the show.

Season 21

  • S21E33 21st Birthday

    • May 8, 1986
    • BBC One

    Special edition of the programme to celebrate its 21st birthday, which looks back at some of the ideas presented on the programme in 1965.

Season 22

  • S22E12 Tomorrow's World Christmas Quiz

    • December 18, 1986
    • BBC One

    Technology-based yuletide shenanigans from the Stableford/Hann/MacCann-era Tomorrow's World (i.e. late 80s). We can't remember much about this, though there was probably a "what happened next" archive round, and much "guess what this is for" jollity. The latter involved some of the 'Tomorrow's World' presenters and a celebrity guest demonstrating what they claimed the device was for and a panel having to guess which explanation was correct.

  • S22E13 The Race to Mars

    • January 22, 1987
    • BBC One

    What is the future of manned space flight one year after the US Challenger disaster?

  • S22E14 Unknown

    • BBC One

Season 23

  • S23E14 Episode 14

    • January 7, 1988
    • BBC One

    The first edition of 1988, presented by the classic line-up of Judith Hann, Maggie Philbin, Peter Macann and Howard Stableford. Futuristic features include an incredible LCD strip that can actually tell you how much power is left in a battery, a Telecine machine that can miraculously remove scratches from old film, and a very young looking Stephen Hawking showing off his amazing new computerized speech synthesizer. Plus many, many more.

Season 25

  • S25E01 The Greenhouse Effect

    • September 19, 1989
    • BBC One

  • S25E30 The Channel Tunnel

    • April 19, 1990
    • BBC One

    Live from the Channel Tunnel. Thirty metres below the English Channel, and from the control centre on Shakespeare Cliff near Dover, a report on the biggest civil engineering project in Europe and the safety measures that are being installed. What will it be like to ride through a 50km tube under the sea? From the coast near Calais, French reporter Isabelle Staes checks on progress and investigates precautions being taken to avoid the risk of rabies.

Season 26

  • S26E01 1

    • September 20, 1990
    • BBC One

    This week: the plane that is carried in the back of the car, and why Leningrad's collection of historic books were put into the city's deepfreeze. With Judith Hann, Howard Stableford, Peter Macann and Kate Bellingham.

  • S26E02 2

    • September 27, 1990
    • BBC One

    The Rubik Cube made its Hungarian inventor Erno Rubik a millionaire, but he used the money wisely. With Judith Hann , Howard Stableford, Kate Bellingham and Peter Macann. Producer Cynthia Page Editor Dana Purvis

  • S26E03 3

    • October 4, 1990
    • BBC One

    This week Bob Symes takes to the water and tries out a fishy idea. Also there's news of scientific research in Germany as east and west team up to improve artificial heart valves. With Judith Hann , Howard Stableford, Kate Bellingham and Peter Macann. Producer Cynthia Page Editor Dana Purvis

  • S26E04 4

    • October 11, 1990
    • BBC One

    How Britain's threatened wetlands are being protected by bird watchers in space; and is there a future for the artificial heart? With Judith Hann , Howard Stableford,Peter Macann and Kate Bellingham. Producer Cynthia Page Editor Dana Purvis

  • S26E25 25

    • March 21, 1991
    • BBC One

    This week: a vision of the future - how robots are learning to look at chocolates, cars and chips. And the sound of the future - can music sound larger than life? Viewers have their own opportunity to sample 3-D stereo by tuning in to a live link-up with Radio l's Mark Goodier 's Evening Session. With Judith Hann , Howard Stableford, Kate Bellingham and Peter Macann. Producer Jack Weber Editor Dana Purvis

Season 28

  • S28E03 3

    • February 17, 1993
    • BBC One

  • S28E46 Time Travel

    • November 5, 1993
    • BBC One

    From Friday November 5th 1993, Tomorrow's World looks at the possibilities of Time Travel, and veteran presenter Raymond Baxter reminds us of the very first videos games, while Howard Stableford looks at the future of Virtual Reality.

Season 30

  • S30E01 Tomorrow's World Special - After The Cold War

    • June 23, 1995
    • BBC One

    First transmitted in 1995, this special edition marks the end of the cold war space race and the beginning of a new era of space exploration, as America and Russia embark on a joint project. The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis heralds a historic event in space; the first time an American space shuttle will dock with the Russian space station Mir. The programme travels to Chicago to look at the preparation undertaken by NASA and in Moscow's Star City, Helen Sharman takes us on a tour of a Mir replica, revealing what awaits the astronauts.

  • S30E02 The End Of The Cold War Space Race

    • May 23, 1995
    • BBC One

    Tomorrow's World Tonight's special edition marks the end of the cold war space race and the beginning of a new era of space exploration. With Howard Stableford, Shahnaz Pakravan and Sam Roberts.

Season 32

  • S32E04 4

    • November 4, 1994
    • BBC One

    Tonight, the American scientists who are trying to re-create the swimming skills of a fish to propel a submersible; and a report from the Atacama Desert in Chile on a miraculously simple invention that can produce drinking water out of thin air. Presented by Carol Vorderman , with Howard Stableford , Shahnaz Pakravan and Monty Don. Editor Edward Briffa

Season 36

Season 37

  • S37E08 8

    • December 8, 1999
    • BBC One

    Tonight's programme reports from Japan on a new generation of personal robot that can act as an electronic servant. Plus a look at a pioneering procedure for treating a life-threatening cancer. Presented by Peter Snow and Philippa Forrester, with reports from Anya Sitaram , Jez Nelson , Lindsey Fallow and Nick Baker. Producer Nathan Williams ; Editor Saul Nasse

  • S37E09 9

    • December 15, 1999
    • BBC One

    Tonight's programme looks at the latest novel ideas for getting to work, including a bike that fits into a bag and a pair of fuel-powered in-line skates that can reach a speed of 25mph. Presented by Peter Snow and Philippa Forrester, with reports from Anya Sitaram , Jez Nelson , Lindsey Fallow and Nick Baker.

  • S37E10 10

    • December 29, 1999
    • BBC One

    In the last show of this millennium Peter Snow and Philippa Forrester predict some developments that they expect to see in the next century. These include flying cars and advances in medicine. Plus, an interview with paralysed star Christopher Reeves about his vision of walking again. Producer Marshall Corwin and Jane Stimpson ; Editor Saul Nasse

Season 38

  • S38E01 Episode 1

    • November 7, 2001
    • BBC One

    From an explosives-testing range in Wiltshire, this live programme investigates the part that technology such as the latest airport-security systems and a new bombproof bin can play in stopping the impact of terrorism.

  • S38E02 Episode 2

    • November 14, 2001
    • BBC One

    A special programme live from Cornwall's Eden Project, the largest greenhouse in the world, which investigates whether fear of heights could be cured through virtual reality. The first woman to receive this pioneering treatment attempts a terrifying abseil off the top of a dome. There is also a report on how psychometric testing could find families the perfect pet. Plus, meet the "lab rats" - the volunteers who surrender themselves to science on screen.

Season 39

  • S39E01 Episode 1

    • March 20, 2002
    • BBC One

  • S39E02 Episode 2

    • March 27, 2002
    • BBC One

  • S39E12 Episode 12

    • June 19, 2002
    • BBC One

    Tonight, a look at the scientific facts behind this summer's Spider-Man movie. Including exclusive access to the new technology used in bringing the superhero to the big screen, plus interviews with the director Sam Raimi, and stars, Willem Defoe, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.

Additional Specials

  • SPECIAL 0x1 TW Time Machine Episode 1

    • August 6, 1997
    • BBC One

    A look back at inventions featured on Tomorrow's World over the years.

  • SPECIAL 0x2 Computers in the 60s

    • September 11, 2015
    • BBC One

    A compilation of Tomorrow's World features, first broadcast in the 1960s, looking at how computers started to be used in homes, schools and offices. Derek Cooper examines innovations in mechanical design engineering (Digital Drawing Board 16/04/1969), as well as a new system to help deal with business correspondence (Auto Secretary 20/09/1967). Europe's first home computer system makes an appearance (Home Computer Terminal 20/09/1967), and the impact of information technology on education is looked at with the help of Forest Grammar School, Berks (Nellie: School Computer 05/02/1969). Finally, James Burke reports on a new type of office desk which moves automatically, allowing for everything from a camera and TV set to space for coffee cups (Office of the Future 16/04/1969).

  • SPECIAL 0x3 1975 Christmas Special

    • December 23, 1975
    • BBC One

    Now you see it, now you don't. A party of children enjoy magic moments of science.

  • SPECIAL 0x4 Tomorrow's World Live: For One Night Only

    • November 22, 2018
    • BBC One

    Tomorrow's World is back for one night only in a special live 90-minute edition of the iconic science and technology programme. Led by much-loved presenters Maggie Philbin and Howard Stableford, alongside Dr Hannah Fry, the programme takes a nostalgic look back at highlights from the archive, discovers the latest in British invention, tests cutting-edge technologies live in the studio, and looks forward to the science and technology that will shape our future.

  • SPECIAL 0x5 Mysteries of the Mind - Part 1

    • March 13, 2002
    • BBC One

    A special live two-part edition of the science and technology show which explores the mysteries of the mind. Items include how power of thought may be used to treat disease and the effects of a roller-coaster ride on the brain.

  • SPECIAL 0x6 Mysteries of the Mind - Part 2

    • March 13, 2002
    • BBC One

    A special live two-part edition of the science and technology show which explores the mysteries of the mind. Items include how power of thought may be used to treat disease and the effects of a roller-coaster ride on the brain. Concluding tonight's live edition.

  • SPECIAL 0x7 Spiderman Special

    • June 19, 2002
    • BBC One

    In this special programme the team look at the science behind the 2002 Spider-Man movie. With exclusive access to the new technology used in bringing the superhero to the big screen and interviews with the director and stars, Willem Dafoe, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. The programme asks if Spider-Man were real how would science make sense of his powers? Meeting scientists in California who have developed fluorescent mice using a new technique which can transfer genes from species to species. Could this explain how Peter Parker got his amazing abilities? Tomorrow's World also travels the globe in the search for the holy grail of material science - artificial spiders' silk. And, asks if the superhero's spider-sense - the ability to predict danger before it happens, has a human equivalent. Spider-Man's co-creator Stan Lee and comic book collector and Spider-Man enthusiast Jonathan Ross are also featured.