The Secret Genius of Modern Life episode 5: Hannah Fry finds out how 1970s car crashes helped us to count our steps, why WWII dog-fights led to a crucial health monitor and how fitness trackers are even being used to catch killers. With around a third of the population now owning fitness trackers, Britain has become a nation obsessed with tracking its every move.
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 5
A fitness tracker is a wearable device that is designed to help users track and monitor their physical activity and fitness levels. These devices typically have sensors that can measure a variety of metrics, such as the number of steps taken, the distance traveled, and the number of calories burned. They may also have additional features, such as a heart rate monitor, a GPS tracker, or the ability to connect to other fitness apps or devices.
Fitness trackers are often worn on the wrist, like a watch, but they can also be worn as a clip on clothing or carried in a pocket. Many fitness trackers have a display that shows the user their current activity levels and other relevant information, and they can also be synced with a smartphone or computer to track progress over time and set goals. Some fitness trackers also have additional features, such as the ability to monitor sleep quality or provide reminders to move throughout the day.
The history of fitness trackers can be traced back to the early 20th century, when pedometers were first used to measure the number of steps taken by individuals. These devices were typically worn on the waist and used a spring-loaded mechanism to count each step. In the 1960s and 1970s, more advanced fitness trackers began to be developed. These devices used electronic sensors to measure a wider range of metrics, such as heart rate and distance traveled. They were often worn on the wrist, like a watch, and were used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts to track their performance.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the emergence of the internet and the rise of personal health and fitness as a cultural concern led to the development of more advanced fitness tracking technology. This included the introduction of wireless connectivity and the ability to track and store data online, as well as the development of new sensors and algorithms to measure a wider range of fitness metrics.
Today, fitness trackers are more advanced and affordable than ever, and they are used by millions of people around the world to monitor and improve their health and fitness. They are also increasingly integrated with other technologies, such as smartphones and smartwatches, to provide users with a more comprehensive view of their fitness and health data.