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Explore the fundamental principles of human communication in this 57-minute Christmas Lecture from The Royal Institution, recorded in 1985. Discover how people communicate using sound and visual cues, beginning with an examination of the complex system of muscles and air pipes that enable humans to produce sounds. Learn about the mechanics of sound production through demonstrations using historical instruments like Paget's device to show how simple human sounds are created. Investigate alternative communication methods when sound fails, including the development and adaptation of visual cues such as sign language for conveying concise information. Examine how technology revolutionized communication by enabling sound recording and storage in high-fidelity formats, with particular focus on the then-emerging compact disc technology. Understand the basic principles that govern all forms of communication, from personal exchanges to the rich variety of methods used by animals and modern telecommunications systems, setting the foundation for exploring topics ranging from microscopic silicon chips to worldwide technology and space communication.
