Hemo the Magnificent

Last weekend’s March for Science got me thinking about the television show “Hemo the Magnificent,” produced by Bell Telephone and first broadcast on CBS in March 1957.  The hour long show – featuring Frank Baxter as Dr. Research and directed by Frank Capra – used animation to tell the story of blood and circulation.  The whole show is worth watching, even today.

Quite  notable, I think, is the great respect afforded to scientists in the 1950s, when there was a strong consensus across the political spectrum that science was accurate, forward looking, beneficial, and worth funding.  “Hemo” preceded the Soviet launch of Sputnik, in October 1957, by about six months, so the public interest in encouraging science was not wholly a product of competition with the Russians.

Equally interesting is the discussion of evolution that begins at approximately the 27:15 mark.  Prefaced with a fleeting disclaimer – “it’s only a theory” – Dr. Research begins with an analogy of blood to sea water, and then proceeds to outline the development of life from single-celled to complex organisms in an extended segment that lasts over seven minutes.  I wonder if such a frank and approving treatment of evolution could be shown on network television today without creating controversy.

You can watch all of “Hemo” below, or you can begin with the sea water and evolution segment here.

 

 

 The Bell Laboratories Science Series eventually produced nine prime-time specials that were later provided as films for use in schools. Dr. Research appeared in all but the last one, which instead featured Walt Disney.

 

Comments

[Deep State Special Legal Counsel]

Global Elites sent by the Chinese to destroy our Jobs. My children, take comfort in the Second Amendment and the Bible (the Genesis parts only) What more does one need?

[anon]

The scientists are smoking, while teaching young people that they are, as Lubet claim, infallible prophets who produced "a strong consensus across the political spectrum that science was accurate, forward looking, beneficial, and worth funding."

This is emblematic of the blinders that the Party members wear. Just as in Woodrow Wilson's day, they want the "people" to be led by "experts" who will dictate right and wrong. Freedom and democracy just get in the way.

Unfortunately, although it is true that "scientists" could, in the 1950s discern what was known (as the opening slide demonstrates) for about 5,000 years, it is also true that these all too human and fallible researchers couldn't figure out, apparently, that smoking in educational videos wasn't exactly " accurate, forward looking, beneficial, and worth funding."

No, hero worship of the elite in society and advocating for their control of every aspect of society is folly, every time.

[anymouse]

There would be more controversy with the sexist, racist, and homophobic language used.

[anon]

Yeah, sort of like law faculties, with the exception of the last one.

[Deep State Special Legal Counsel]

anon at 3:37

We once elected Presidents who built a grand Interstate system and inspired us to go to go to the moon and beyond and one who gave us HOPE. Our scientists, engineers, teachers, professors, astronauts and doctors were once national heroes, and yes, intellectual leaders. What was wrong with Albert Einstein, Elon Musk, Charles Drew and Jonas Salk? They are now viewed as ELITES and vilified as intellectuals.

So, what we have today is a medieval Wall Worship the MOTHER OF ALL BOMBS and $50K Chromed out Pick Up Trucks.