The Moody Institute of Science educational films series are a collection of exceptionally produced vintage science films. These films take a comprehensive and holistic look at several interesting phenomenons and creatures found in the natural world. Each topic is scientifically explained and synthesized with humans and mans creations (for example comparing a venues fly trap to a bear trap and comparing a flashlight to an electric eel). These films always keep on eye on the future while remembering the lessons of the past and seem well ahead of their time.
Included Films:
Carnivorous Plants
Carnivorous Plants
Produced: 1955
Length: 10 Minutes
There was more scientific discovery, more technical advancements in material progress, in the 1950s than in all prior centuries. Invention was the symbol of the age. And yet perhaps the most embarrassing discovery that regardless of whatever man may invent or devise nature had it first. Meet the Venus fly trap one of natures finest inventions. Like the bear trap, which resembles the plant immensely, it has teeth and a spring, but unlike the metal trap the plant can tell the difference between prey and leaves and sticks. The Venus fly trap, unlike man made traps, is a smart trap. Carnivorous Plants, is an enthralling scientific look at what plants like the Venus fly trap do, how they catch prey, and how they compare to all the grand inventions of man.
Electric Eel
Electric Eel
Produced: 1954
Length: 12 Minutes
Electric eels may not be raving beauties, but they are skilled at what they do – shocking. They are so adept at hunting prey like small fish through the use of electric shock that ranchers along the Amazon have an annual hunt just to keep these blind hunters from accidentally killing their cattle with 500 volts of power. Excellent swimmers, though blind from thick cataracts, the eel can change directions mid swim with just the flick of his tail. Not only an excellent swimmer, the eel contains enough energy to light thirty six lamps even when he is not using his electric shock to kill. The Electric eels may be underestimated and misunderstood, but this movie from the Moody Institute of Science, works hard to clear up misconceptions and inform the public on the wonder of these strange looking animals.
Fish Family
Fish Family
Produced: 1957
Length: 9 Minutes
By watching fish you can learn many marvellous things. For example, a fish is not just an animal that can swim easily through the water and never surface for air because of its convenient gills. It is a creature centered on family values. Fish Family, takes an in depth look at a Blue Acara family preparing to raise its young, teaching us how fish breathe and swim along the way. The mother and father take extraordinary care to select where the eggs get laid to ensure the eggs are safe. They share all those duties together as a team. This film explores the value of learning about different animals but it also shows how many animals are more like us than we think.
Living With The Atom
Living With The Atom
Produced: 1957
Length: 25 Minutes
What is atomic energy? We tend to think of atomic energy as a new concept revolutionized by the destruction of the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But atomic energy has been around since the dawn of time. This is exemplified by the sun that gives us light and warmth, which is created with atomic energy. But the notion that energy is the equivalent of mass was a radically new conception in the 1930s, key to the atomic age. The idea expressed in E=MC squared caused a great revolution in scientific thinking. It means that any object, a piece of paper or a desk, represents an unbelievable amount of energy. A pint of water for example, is the equivalent of burning one and one half million tons of coal. It means the atom can be split and harnessed for energy as well as grand scale destruction. What are the consequences of harnessing such power? Should human-kind harness the power of the sun? Living With The Atom searches for these answers.
Wonder Of Our Body
Wonder Of Our Body
Produced: 1958
Length: 12 Minutes
The human eye is at marvelous and delicate camera. Long before man created the camera to take pictures that last forever, our eyes were doing a similar function. Like the lens of a camera our eyes can focus and tell the difference between objects far away and up close, but unlike the lens of a camera our eyes make those adjustments automatically, thousands of times a day. Wonder Of Our Body, uses objects that people have created to understand our bodies and how they function. Our eyes are like a camera. Our ears are like a radar detection device. An excellent scientific film by the Moody Institute of Science, it is a terrific teaching tool for how the body functions.
Wonder Of Water
Wonder Of Water
Produced: 1958
Length: 12 Minutes
Water. We see it everyday and 2/3 of our bodies are made up of it, but what is it really? Not just the stuff that quenches our thirst on a hot summer day, water is comprised of two gases, hydrogen and oxygen. Wonder of Water, seeks to showcase the miracle of water and how it forms into the substance that sustains life through doing various scientific experiments. One experiment is done with electrolysis as the ever genial Uncle Bob tries to show his youthful friends how water is really made. Not content with just showing what water is made up Wonder of Water, explores the importance of water to the earth and how the water cycle works. This is an excellent short film that breaks water down into understandable terms.
Mystery Of Time
Mystery Of Time
Produced: 1957
Length: 27 Minutes
Have you ever tried to define time? The harder you search for a definition the more elusive it becomes. Mystery Of Time, searches for these difficult answers. One of the tools used to explain time is the high-speed camera, or as the scientists put it, a time microscope. High-speed cameras use what we see and break it down into different time increments changing our reference, and changing our view on time. Complete with a steel ball dropping into milk, Mystery Of Time, searches for the truth behind how we view time and how time works. After all, never questioning what appears to be normal is one sure way to stay locked up in your time compartment.
