Dr Lucy Rogers

The inventor on science of the past and the TV shows that inspired her.

How do you think new inventions could change the world today? It’s really difficult to forecast such things. When I was a teenager, I remember reading a sci-fi book that was maybe 30 years old. In it, the spacemen were using special plates to take photos – not film and not digital!

What was your favourite subject at school?

Maths and PE. We didn’t have the facilities to make stuff out of wood or metal at school – I think I would have enjoyed those classes.

What inspired you when you were younger?

Some TV shows, such as Blue Peter and Tomorrow’s

World, made me want to try things myself – although I never had all the right bits, so I had to make do or improvise. What is your least favourite part of inventing? I dislike having to do the maths to see if a project will work. I prefer to tinker and make prototypes. Prototypes take longer, but are more fun. Maths is also usually cleaner!

Sum this book up in three words.

“Can make anything!”