The Re-Inventors
- The Re-Inventors is off air
- Remind me
James Strawbridge
Young James Strawbridge got to re-invent some important creations with his Dad during the filming of The Re-Inventors. In our quick-fire round, he reveals more about how he enjoyed making the show, which inventors he admires, and why he thinks the internet is the most important invention of the last 50 years.
What has being The Re-Inventors meant to you?
To me, it has meant history in action on a rock and roll road show, remembering forgotten heroes and respecting worthy achievements. It means being part of a team that works together with a dual understanding of the past: technology and biography, personalities and prototype developments, father and son, science and art. Also, it is speaking for the men whose stories lie latent in history book stores by meeting local story-tellers, museum curators - guardians of the past, and learning through basic archive research.
Why were the inventions covered in the series so important?
I believe that their importance, for the most part, resides in their neglect. Most of the inventors died in obscurity and some in undeserved poverty, yet their contribution to life-saving, agriculture, and industrial development has undoubtedly shaped our world today. I think that celebrating the lives of men who were devoted to forging a better future is extremely important to our present, encouraging each of us that we can make a difference; starting at garden-shed level and reaching to the stars.
Do you admire any particular inventors from the past? If so why?
Leonardo Da Vinci is a person I admire greatly for being both a wonderful artist and an incredible pragmatist. I also like Charles Adams-Randall who took the first steps to make the modern electrically amplified multi-selection jukebox in 1888 and Levi Strauss for giving us denim blue jeans in 1873. And, if only, Dr. Emmett Brown for the time-machine!
Which inventors from the modern age do you admire and why?
I admire inventors from the modern age who are trying to promote a future free from pollution and excessive CO2 emissions and scientists who strive to harness energy from the sun, wind, and water. I believe that, like the heroes of the industrial revolution, many of these inventors toil without due recognition yet they are working for a cleaner tomorrow. To be honest, I respect almost any form of inventive thought as it shows imagination and creativity. But I do not respect many inventions that simply make our lives more luxurious and extravagant without taking into account the consequences of their product or technology within society.
What do you think is the most important invention of the last 50 years?
I think the most important invention of the last 50 years is the internet. I choose this because right now, this is how I am communicating these words and my opinions. The internet is an amorphous construction beyond my comprehension. Its significance to our future is still undetermined, but the impression it has made on communication, freedom, knowledge and so many other areas of our lives already is huge.
If you could re-invent anything else by choice, what would it be?
I would choose the aeroplane. I would re-invent it without the polluting trail-blazer that is destroying our environment. To re-invent in order to understand how it works, I would have to choose the telephone. To me, the telephone, both mobile and landline, is a complete mystery of technological wizardry. Finally for fun, I would definitely re-invent the surfboard!
What do you wish had been invented to make your life easier?
Teleportation units, telekinesis, flying shoes akin to Hermes' winged feet and microchips explaining the secrets to how women think. Finally, and most importantly, the ultimate sound system with the heaviest bass that exists in the entire universe.
Which was your favourite re-invention from the series and why?
My favourite re-invention from the series was Henry Trengrouse's Life-Saving Apparatus. The main reason is because I got to play at being a stunt man for a day having rockets fired at me, but also because I was deeply touched by his story. He was a man devoted to helping others and someone who constantly strove to improve technology for the well-being of others. He is a true national hero.
What inventions do you think are pointless?
Guns, bombs, missiles, tanks and fighter jets.
What is the key to being a good inventor?
Using clues and playing with combinations. Trial and error, imagination, genius, hope, patience, ambition, vision and inspiration.
To me, it has meant history in action on a rock and roll road show, remembering forgotten heroes and respecting worthy achievements. It means being part of a team that works together with a dual understanding of the past: technology and biography, personalities and prototype developments, father and son, science and art. Also, it is speaking for the men whose stories lie latent in history book stores by meeting local story-tellers, museum curators - guardians of the past, and learning through basic archive research.
Why were the inventions covered in the series so important?
I believe that their importance, for the most part, resides in their neglect. Most of the inventors died in obscurity and some in undeserved poverty, yet their contribution to life-saving, agriculture, and industrial development has undoubtedly shaped our world today. I think that celebrating the lives of men who were devoted to forging a better future is extremely important to our present, encouraging each of us that we can make a difference; starting at garden-shed level and reaching to the stars.
Do you admire any particular inventors from the past? If so why?
Leonardo Da Vinci is a person I admire greatly for being both a wonderful artist and an incredible pragmatist. I also like Charles Adams-Randall who took the first steps to make the modern electrically amplified multi-selection jukebox in 1888 and Levi Strauss for giving us denim blue jeans in 1873. And, if only, Dr. Emmett Brown for the time-machine!
Which inventors from the modern age do you admire and why?
I admire inventors from the modern age who are trying to promote a future free from pollution and excessive CO2 emissions and scientists who strive to harness energy from the sun, wind, and water. I believe that, like the heroes of the industrial revolution, many of these inventors toil without due recognition yet they are working for a cleaner tomorrow. To be honest, I respect almost any form of inventive thought as it shows imagination and creativity. But I do not respect many inventions that simply make our lives more luxurious and extravagant without taking into account the consequences of their product or technology within society.
What do you think is the most important invention of the last 50 years?
I think the most important invention of the last 50 years is the internet. I choose this because right now, this is how I am communicating these words and my opinions. The internet is an amorphous construction beyond my comprehension. Its significance to our future is still undetermined, but the impression it has made on communication, freedom, knowledge and so many other areas of our lives already is huge.
If you could re-invent anything else by choice, what would it be?
I would choose the aeroplane. I would re-invent it without the polluting trail-blazer that is destroying our environment. To re-invent in order to understand how it works, I would have to choose the telephone. To me, the telephone, both mobile and landline, is a complete mystery of technological wizardry. Finally for fun, I would definitely re-invent the surfboard!
What do you wish had been invented to make your life easier?
Teleportation units, telekinesis, flying shoes akin to Hermes' winged feet and microchips explaining the secrets to how women think. Finally, and most importantly, the ultimate sound system with the heaviest bass that exists in the entire universe.
Which was your favourite re-invention from the series and why?
My favourite re-invention from the series was Henry Trengrouse's Life-Saving Apparatus. The main reason is because I got to play at being a stunt man for a day having rockets fired at me, but also because I was deeply touched by his story. He was a man devoted to helping others and someone who constantly strove to improve technology for the well-being of others. He is a true national hero.
What inventions do you think are pointless?
Guns, bombs, missiles, tanks and fighter jets.
What is the key to being a good inventor?
Using clues and playing with combinations. Trial and error, imagination, genius, hope, patience, ambition, vision and inspiration.
Our Programmes
A History Of Britain
| Britain's Best
| Churchill’s Bodyguard
| Himalaya With Michael Palin
| Seven Wonders Of The Industrial World
| Sex Love And War
| The Naked Archaeologist
| The World At War
| What The Egyptians Did For Us
| What The Industrial Revolution Did For Us
| What The Romans Did For Us
| What The Tudors Did for Us
| What The Victorians Did For Us
| V For Victory
In UKTV History
20th Century
| Ancient Britain
| British History
| Egypt
| Exploration
| Genealogy
| The Romans
| Kings and Queens
| Profiles
| Programmes
| The 60s
| The Crusades
| Warzone
