Human Intelligence

Naomi Alderman returns with her series that explores the minds of the greatest thinkers in history. From political theorists to scientists to inventors, authors and artists. Our world is based on their ideas and innovations. How did they do their work, what did they struggle with, where did they find their dedication, creativity and inspiration?

Against the wishes of her family, American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham pursued a career on the stage, touring the United States as a vaudeville star, even making it to Broadway. But the classic traditions of dance weren’t enough for her. She sought perfection – the perfect encapsulation of the human experience, in movement. Modernist ideals were changing artistic expression across mediums, and the Graham technique distilled those ideals for dance. Her visceral work catapulted her to fame. As her reputation grew she never stopped exploring, looking to everything from Greek myth to Jungian psychology for inspiration, pushing to explore the passions and pains of the human experience.

Special thanks to Paul Jackson, Reader in Choreography and Dance at the University of Winchester and Choreography Instructor at the Central School of Ballet.

Produced by BBC Studios in partnership with The Open University.

Presenter: Naomi Alderman Executive Editor: Philip Sellars Production Co-ordinator: Amelia Paul Researchers: Harry Burton, Martha Owen and Victoria Brignell Mix Engineer: Nigel Appleton Series Producer: Anishka Sharma Production Manager: Jo Kyle

Naomi Alderman returns with her series that explores the minds of the greatest thinkers in history. From political theorists to scientists to inventors, authors and artists. Our world is based on their ideas and innovations. How did they do their work, what did they struggle with, where did they find their dedication, creativity and inspiration?

Da Vinci had insatiable curiosity, a deep desire to observe and understand the world around him. The curiosity that drove him to learn everything he could and brought a depth of understanding to the works he produced. His obvious genius put him in high demand – but Da Vinci was a careful man, taking years to complete each commission and frequently never finishing them at all. He was looking for perfection and seemed not to mind taking years to achieve it.

Special thanks to Catherine Fletcher, Professor of History at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Produced by BBC Studios in partnership with The Open University.

Presenter: Naomi Alderman Executive Editor: Philip Sellars Production Co-ordinator: Amelia Paul Researchers: Harry Burton, Martha Owen and Victoria Brignell Mix Engineer: Nigel Appleton Series Producer: Anishka Sharma Production Manager: Jo Kyle

Naomi Alderman returns with her series that explores the minds of the greatest thinkers in history. From political theorists to scientists to inventors, authors and artists. Our world is based on their ideas and innovations. How did they do their work, what did they struggle with, where did they find their dedication, creativity and inspiration?

In the early 9th century Baghdad was the centre of the world, and within Baghdad the Bayt al-Hikma – the House of Wisdom – was the centre of scholarship. And in that centre, the Al-Khawarizmi was working to revolutionise our understanding of mathematics. This revolution would be outlined in his book, Al-Jabr, from which we get the word algebra. While arithmetic and geometry date back to the ancient Greeks and Babylonians, Al-Khawarizmi sought to outline a recipe that could be applied to multiple situations. A formula that would unlock a greater understanding of calculation.

In his own lifetime his impact was immense, from popularising the use of Hindu numerals, to large infrastructure projects. But his impact today is even greater. He laid the foundations on which we all walk.

Special thanks to Jim Al-Khalili, professor of theoretical physics and chair in public engagement in science at the University of Surrey.

Produced by BBC Studios in partnership with The Open University.

Presenter: Naomi Alderman Executive Editor: Philip Sellars Production Co-ordinator: Amelia Paul Researchers: Harry Burton, Martha Owen and Victoria Brignell Mix Engineer: Nigel Appleton Series Producer: Anishka Sharma Production Manager: Jo Kyle