THE SCIENTIFIC STORYTELLERS: HOW EDUCATORS, SCIENTISTS, AND ACTORS TELEVISED SCIENCE

Abstract

This dissertation explores the history of science television in the United States.

My project is centered on the flows of knowledge between scientific storytellers of

television: the scientists, television creators, and audience members who contributed to

the development of the television genre. I examine five national programs (The John

Hopkins Science Review, Watch Mr. Wizard, NOVA, 3-2-1 Contact, and Cosmos), which

aired on American television sets between the late 1940s and late 1970s. This history

charts science television from the early days of broadcasting to the end of the “network

era.” Over thirty years, scientific storytellers produced a new form of discourse. Their

distinct professional backgrounds, as actors, journalists, and scientists, affected the ways

that they depicted science and scientists on screen. Early programs emphasized a

technological understanding of science based around everyday experiences. Later,

scientific programming focused on understanding the connections between political and

social movements and science. Current events, advances in cinematography, and new

pedagogical styles greatly affected the types of narratives told on television. The creation

of science television series created an important space of dialogue for scientists and nonscientists.