THE SECRET GENIUS OF MODERN LIFE

BBC2, 8pm

From contactless payments to smart devices with the power of supercomputers, our homes and pockets are filled with gadgets that,

20 years ago, would have been the stuff of science fiction.

This series sees mathematician Hannah Fry (pictured) analyse modern tech wonders to find out how they work and the amazing stories behind their invention.

Episode one takes a deep dive into that piece of plastic that you carry everywhere – your bank card.

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 a CIA man with an iron helped kick start the bank card revolution.