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Maxwell's Genius

Episode 5 of 5

Will Self concludes his road trip on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell, who developed the theory of electromagnetic waves. He asks if Maxwell was really a genius.

Will Self concludes his 600 mile road trip on the trail of much neglected Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS possible.

In a bid to feel the wonder of Maxwell's work and legacy, Will is driving from Edinburgh to London in an electric car, accompanied by Akram Khan, professor of particle physics at Brunel University.

Will ends his journey in Cambridge posing the question: was Maxwell really a genius?

Producer: Laurence Grissell.

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15 minutes

Last on

Fri 27 Nov 2015 12:04
BBC Radio 4

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  • Fri 27 Nov 2015 12:04
    BBC Radio 4

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