During the eighteenth century, few had a greater impact on astronomy than the German born William Herschel who came to England in 1773. His interest in the skies above led to his own construction of a powerful telescope on a design by Newton, using mirrors instead of lenses to focus light. In time he perfected his instruments until they were superior to anything in the world. This lead to the discovery of Uranus in 1781. Its discovery made Herschel famous overnight. He made more telescopes and more discoveries. Success spurred Herschell to build an even bigger telescope and, with support of the monarch, he was able to cast, polish and grind new mirrors and lenses resulting in a forty foot telescope in his home in Berkshire. It became a landmark in more ways than one, and for a time was the world's eye on the universe

We...who are going to discourse of the nature of the universe, how created or how existing without creation, if we be not altogether out of our wits, must invoke the aid of gods and godesses and pray that our words may be above all acceptable to them and in consequence to ourselves -PLATO - Greek philospher, 429BC - 347BC

HUBBLE-BUBBLE

Cosmology today is mainly confined within the broad model of understanding, known as the 'big bang' theory. But science is not a static thesis with strict rules governing anyone from stepping out of line. The expansion of the unverse, for example - today a well established fact - began life as speculative theory, hatched from Einstein's general theory of relativity, and was welcomed with cries of doubt and dissention. The doubts started to disappear when Edwin Hubble discovered evidence of it in 1929, but sceptics were not silenced until 1965, with instruments and power to detect the noise coming from the Big Bang itself. At once a new science called cosmology was born.

RENNAISANCE

Britain's place at the forefront of science and technology was celebrated during the Victorian era. The nation confidently called itself - 'the workshop of the world'. The Great Exhibition of 1851,in London, attracted thousands of visitors to the capital. It was breathtaking. Inventors and scientists who applied their skills to industrial progress and greater prosperity displayed their wares in a vast shop window for all the world to see. They enjoyed the Royal support of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. The Prince urged the Government of the day to act. In 1853 the Science and Art Department was formed. This ensured Brtain remained at the cutting edge of the modern scientific and industrial society.

That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind
-NEIL ARMSTRONG, US astronaut, the first man on the moon, 1969

CHANGE

As we step confidently into the twenty-first century we, in the industrialised countries, are increasingly conscious of living in a world that is profoundly and fundamentally different from that into which we were born. In just a decade, we have seen technological and scientific change on a scale that only a very few had the vision to believe it could ever be possible. In fact, in retrospect it is quite justifiable to use the word 'revolution' to describe the changes in this vastly important area of life.There have been many revolutions in the past 30 years. Economic, political, cultural and 'bloody'. But foremost is that of technology. Ever since Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon we have willingly, in some cases unwillingly, entered a whole new orbit. Going hither and thither at a greater rate. Tackling onerous tasks with ease and gusto with the aid of latest inventions.

The revolution that began in the '70s, and is by no means complete, is less obvious to perceive, but more far-reaching than a mere change of a government regime or political system. It is the revolution of our way of life, which in one way or another affects every living soul on our planet. The symbol of the revolutuon is the computer. Forty years ago science fiction films showed mad and dangerous 'boffins' tinkering about to produce the ultimate in wizardry - the 'electronic brain'. Now every office in the land has desks adorned with the ubiquitous pale plastic encased hi-tech hardware, blinking screens, and cluttered with mice and keyboards. And they are not just confined to the office - they are in people's homes as well. Behind the scenes the computer affects practically everything we do from buying supplies from the supermarket to luxury shopping on the Net.