In the 50s with the launch of Sputnik 1, we saw the birth of a new era of optimism, with the promise of a new frontier for exploration, re-population and adventure. A chance to move out from the bounds of the Earth and to explore new territories with abundant and plentiful resources, to colonise new planets and moons and to take man further than he had ever been before. The 60s saw the presence of man in space, and in 69 a man would set foot on the moon.
In this episode, we look at the optimism of this period, the endless possibilities afforded by our own imagination and some of the promises of science fiction. Some of those dreams came true, but some also turned into tragedy..
We’ll explore where popular culture meets science, we’ll look at the history of the space race and the films and music that have helped to drive it. We’ll discuss some highs and lows and ask the question, what’s next?
Things we mentioned:
Music
- Public Service Broadcasting – The Race for Space
- B12 – Space Age
- Sun Ra – Space Is the Place
- Sheldon Allman – Folk Songs for the 21st Century
- Les Baxter – Space Escapade
- Mike Oldfield – Songs of Distant Earth
- The Alan Parsons Project – I, Robot
- Brian Eno – Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks
- Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon
- Tangerine Dream – Zeist
- Jean-Michel Jarre – Rendez-vous (Connection to Ron McNair/Challenger and Houston concert)
- Hydrus – Midnight in Space
- Islands in Space – Lightdreams
Films & TV
- Brazil
- Blade Runner
- The Jetsons
- The Incredibles
- For All Mankind (alt-history)
- Tomorrowland (honourable mention – chrome fin future, “Yesterday’s Tomorrow – Disney’s Magical Mid-Century” book)
- Space Race (BBC documentary) – digital effects designer / digital effects artist on two episodes was Gareth Edwards (Rogue One)
Games
- Bioshock
- Destroy All Humans
- Fallout
- Void Bastards
Links
