The Secret Genius of Modern Life returns for a new season

Posted on 2 April 2025 • Science, maths, computing and technology, TV and radio

Today (2 April) at 8pm, the OU / BBC series, The Secret Genius of Modern Life, returns with a third series.

The fascinating programme unpacks the amazing science and mind-boggling innovation behind everyday objects. Professor Hannah Fry is our hammer-wielding, tech-savvy tour guide to the extraordinary stories behind everything from air fryers to roller coasters.

The series is now also available to watch, in full, on BBC iPlayer.

This series was supported by leading OU academic expertise from the School of Engineering and Innovation, with input from OU academic consultants Professor David Sharp and Dr Derek Jones.

Dr Derek Jones, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Design, said:

“One of my favourite episodes is the fridge. Fridges use a technological principle that hasn’t changed for hundreds of years. It’s just we don’t see it in action because it’s all hidden in pipes and weird shapes behind our appliances. But when you see it all pulled apart (in true Hannah style) you get a sense of what’s going on – and it’s both really simple and surprisingly complex at the same time. Lovely!”

The Secret Genius of Modern Life series is a great way to catch a glimpse of the amazing engineering, design and technologies that go into the objects we surround ourselves with in our modern lives. We all rely on the secret genius behind everyday design and engineering marvels and each programme gives a great insight into some of this ‘invisible’ genius.

David Sharp, Professor in Musical Acoustics at the OU, said:

“What I really like about this third series of Secret Genius is the way that, as well as investigating smaller scale objects such as the fridge and the air fryer, it investigates much larger complex systems, such as the roller coaster and the motorway.

“It is amazing just how much clever technology goes into keeping our vehicles moving as quickly as possible, while also keeping us as safe as possible. And that applies to both roller coasters and motorways.”

Free poster:

To accompany the series, Broadcast and Partnerships has produced a free poster looking at everyday objects and how they are made, along with considerations such as sustainability, safety and ethics. You can order your copy by calling 0300 303 2061 or by visiting our Broadcast and Partnerships site OU Connect.

Supporting Online content:

Alternatively, you can also find a clickable interactive version of the free poster on our Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect.

This series was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, with particular relevance to R63: Bachelor of Design, Q61 Design and Innovation and T190: Design Practices.

• Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast and Partnerships

• Academic Consultants – Dr Derek Jones and Professor David Sharp  

• Media Fellows – Dr Andrew Potter

• Broadcast Project Manager – Jo Shipp

Digital Content Producer – Xinmiao Zhang

Header image: Professor Hannah Fry. Credit: BBC