The Secret Genius of Modern Life on SBS Viceland – We don’t often stop to think about it, but our homes and our pockets are full of technology that 20 years ago would have been the stuff of science fiction.
In this new series, Hannah Fry uncovers the secrets of these modern miracles and reveals the mind blowing stories behind their invention.
Series One, Episode One: Bank Card
This time it’s the bank card. We take this humble piece of plastic for granted but it’s the digital key to our cash that is packed full of extraordinary technological innovations with surprising and sinister origins.
Hannah is granted the first ever TV access to VISA’s European bank card data centre, discovers why we have Russian spies to thank for contactless payments, and finds out how the CIA and a 1950s housewife ironing helped kick start the bank card revolution.
The Secret Genius of Modern Life – New Series Premiere – Saturday, 2 September at 6.25pm on SBS Viceland and SBS on Demand (6 Parts)
TV Central SBS content HERE
