Bits n' Bauds - The Communication Game

Bits n' Bauds is our new communications show, presented throughout the weekends of December at the Glasgow Science Centre. The show charts the progress of communications, from thousands of years ago when messengers were sent carrying important messages from A to B right through to the present day where so much information is being sent, that even electrical cables run out of capacity!

Deborah Telfer and Ken Skeldon presenting the bits n' bauds
show at the Glasgow Science Centre.

In the show we have simple props to demonstrate messengers delivering important news, and are able to send words between volunteers using a wooden spoon striking a frying pan (Chappe's original telegraph system).

We progress to the 'shocking' electrical experiments performed by Nollet, and how people like Morse used electricity to efficiently pass information by means of his code. We also demonstrate wireless telegraphy using a 400,000V Tesla coil and have a unique Mechanical Television system in which members of the audience can see friends' faces on the type of TV around in the 1920s and 1930s.