The original 1965 series charted International Rescue's efforts to save the planet from the likes of Hood, and had a chic, utopian view of the future where super machines burst forth from luxury island dwellings. It was the most successful of the Andersons' 'supermarionation' productions that also include Fireball XL5, Stingray and Joe 90. The popularity of Thunderbirds is due to the stunning sets and vehicles and also to the characters that have transcended the confines of children's television to become iconic - Lady Penelope, Brains and Parker, although secondary characters to the Tracy Brothers' heroics, are very much the stars of the show.
Dr Ben Still is a Physicist at the University of London. Alongside his research career Ben has been an advocate of new methods of communicating physics. He has worked with artists, designers, and illustrators to show complex physics research topics in a new light. Ben also teaches Science in schools and develops innovative methods of classroom teaching. For his contribution to science communication Ben has been presented with multiple national awards.
Following a childhood interest Ben went to Leicester to read for a masters in Physics with Space Science and Technology. During the course his attention was instead drawn to the world of particle physics. Ben went on to the University of Sheffield where he gained a PhD in experimental particle physics. Ben then continued his career as a physicist as a Research Associate at Queen Mary University of London where he is now an Honorary Research Fellow.
