PROFILE OF A FUTURIST

Pivotal moments in the life of Arthur C Clarke

16 December 1917 Born in Minehead, Somerset

Late 1920s Develops a fascination with astronomy, telescopes, dinosaurs and mysteries Late 1920s/early 1930s Reads Amazing Stories and Astounding Science Fiction magazines 1934 Joins the British Interplanetary Society ƨ Conducts radar and ground-controlled approach work in the Royal Air Force 1945 Proposes geostationary satellite communications in Wireless World magazine 1948 Graduates with a BSc in mathematics and physics from King’s College London 1950s Devotes himself to full-time writing 1956 Moves to Sri Lanka, where he lives until the end of his life ƨ Works with Stanley Kubrick on 2001: A Space Odyssey ƨ Becomes commentator for US TV channel CBS during the Apollo missions 1980 First episode of Arthur C Clarke’s Mysterious World broadcast on ITV 1988 Diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, and is eventually confined to a wheelchair 2000 Receives a knighthood during a private ceremony at his home in Colombo, Sri Lanka 2007 Releases a video message on YouTube on his 90th birthday 19 March 2008 Dies and is later buried in Colombo