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An inventor, an autogyro pilot, a photographer, a science fiction writer and a circus performer

Matthew Bannister recalls inventor Ray Dolby, autogyro pilot Wing Cmdr Kenneth Wallis, photographer Lewis Morley, sci-fi writer Frederick Pohl and circus performer Lydia Gridneff.

Matthew Bannister on

Ray Dolby - the American engineer who invented the Dolby noise reduction systems which revolutionised our listening experience at home and in the cinema.

Wing Commander Kenneth Wallis the RAF bomber pilot who built and flew the autogyro in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

Frederick Pohl, the science fiction writer who also promoted the careers of many of his contemporaries. Brian Aldiss pays tribute.

And Lydia Gridneff who travelled the world as part of a circus family. Her son tells of touring Europe in a bus full of chimpanzees.

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28 minutes

Ray Dolby

Matthew spoke to Richard Millard, former MD at Audio International Studios and to Ian Christie, Professor of Film and Media History at Birkbeck College, University of London.

Born 18 January 1933; died 12 September 2013 aged 80.

Wing Commander Kenneth Wallis (pictured)

Matthew spoke to his daughter Vicky Wallis and to his friend James Thadden.听

Born 26 April 1916; died 1 September 2013 aged 97.

Lewis Morley

Matthew spoke to his friend, the curator at the National Portrait Gallery Terence Pepper.听

Born 16 June 1925; died 3 September 2013 aged 88.

Frederik Pohl

Matthew spoke to novelist Brian Aldiss and the author and critic John Clute.

Born 26 November 1919; died 2 September 2013 aged 93.

Lydia Gridneff

Last Word spoke to her son Evgeny Gridneff.

Born 27th April 1917; died 15th August 2013 aged 96.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest Brian Aldiss
Producer Neil George

Broadcasts

  • Fri 13 Sep 2013 16:00
  • Sun 15 Sep 2013 20:30

Podcast