Home / Series / Connections / Aired Order / Season 1 / Episode 5

The Wheel of Fortune

The power to see into the future with computers originally rested with priest-astronomers who knew the proper times to plant and harvest. The constellations influenced life spectacularly, particularly when the ailing Caliph of Baghdad was cured by an astrologer using Greek lore. His ancient medical secrets were translated and spread throughout Europe, ushering in an era of scientific inquiry. The need for more precise measuring devices in navigation gave rise to the pendulum clock, the telescope, forged steel and interchangeable machine parts-the basis of modern industrial system.

English
  • Originally Aired November 14, 1978
  • Runtime 50 minutes
  • Network BBC One
  • Created November 15, 2010 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified November 15, 2010 by
    Administrator admin
Name Type Role
James Burke Writer