The Secret Genius of Modern Life episode 4: Hannah Fry discovers why innovations in meat packing almost derailed the electric car revolution and how a breakthrough in camcorder batteries led to Elon Musk’s electric empire, as well as demonstrating how not to drive a multimillion dollar prototype car of the future.
Hannah Fry is a British mathematician, author, and radio and television presenter. She is Professor in the Mathematics of Cities at the UCL Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis. She studies the patterns of human behaviour, such as interpersonal relationships and dating, and how mathematics can apply to them. Fry delivered the 2019 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures.
The Secret Genius of Modern Life episode 4
An electric car is a type of vehicle that is powered by an electric motor rather than a internal combustion engine. Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular because they are more environmentally friendly than gasoline-powered cars, as they produce no emissions when they are being driven. They are also typically cheaper to operate, as electricity is often less expensive than gasoline. Some electric cars are even capable of driving for long distances on a single charge, making them a convenient and practical option for many people.
The first electric cars were developed in the mid-19th century, shortly after the invention of the electric motor. These early electric cars were powered by large batteries, which could be charged using electricity from the grid. They were popular among wealthy individuals who wanted a vehicle that was quiet and easy to operate, but they were eventually overshadowed by gasoline-powered cars, which were cheaper and had a longer range.
In the early 20th century, electric cars made a comeback as the gasoline-powered vehicles of the time were becoming increasingly unreliable and expensive to operate. However, the development of the electric starter motor for gasoline-powered cars in 1912 made these vehicles more convenient to use, and electric cars once again fell out of favor.
In recent years, electric cars have seen a resurgence in popularity due to concerns about climate change and the environmental impact of gasoline-powered cars. Advances in battery technology have also made electric cars more practical for everyday use, with many models now capable of traveling long distances on a single charge. As a result, electric cars are becoming more common on the roads, and many countries are implementing policies to encourage their use.
