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Bob Spence's research has ranged from engineering design to human-computer interaction and often with the manner in which the latter can enhance the former. Notable contributions, usually in collaboration with colleagues, include the powerful generalized form of Tellegen's Theorem; algorithms for improving the manufacturing yield of mass-produced circuits; and, in the field of Human-computer Interaction, the invention of the first focus+context technique, the Bifocal Display (aka Fisheye lens). The novel Attribute and Influence Explorers provide examples of novel information visualization tools that have wide application, including engineering design. Interactive computer graphics allows the electronic circuit designer to sketch the familiar circuit diagram on a computer display. This potential was pioneered by Bob and his colleagues in the late 1960s and eventually, in 1985, led to the commercially available MINNIE system developed and marketed by a company of which Bob was chairman a

An in depth interview with the late Professor Patrick Purcell. Recorded in June 1995

Dennis Gabor was a Hungarian-British electrical engineer and physicist, most notable for inventing holography, for which he later received the 1971 Nobel Prize in Physics. Professor Igor Aleksander is in conversation with Professor Sir Eric Ash, former Ph.D student of Gabor. Recorded in 2000. FOR MORE ON THIS VIDEO:

Bob Schroter came to Imperial College in 1959, he gained his Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology degree in 1962, and a PhD in1964. He talks about his time as both a student and then a member of college staff. For more:

Archive interview from November 1980 with Professor Jim Ring from the Infrared Astronomy Group at Imperial College London. More:

Based on the 1989 London Mathematical Society Popular Lectures, this special 'television lecture' entitled "The Art of Asymptotic Approximation" is presented by Professor Frank Leppington (Imperial College London). The London Mathematical Society is one of the oldest mathematical societies, founded in 1865. Despite it's name, it is the national learned society and is of international mathematical importance. The popular lectures are designed to be intelligible to a non-specialist audience, although A-Levels are useful. The lecturers are chosen for their mathematical distinction and their ability to communicate. The videos are suitable for all who have a serious interest in mathematics. That includes amateur mathematicians, sixth form mathematics students etc. Schools, Colleges and Universities find them invaluable. For more: •播放列表

Video Archive Blog about Silwood Park: Imperial College acquired Silwood Park in 1947, as a Field Station to provide a site for research and teaching in those aspects of Biology not well suited for the main London campus. The Manor House is the original Silwood Park house, built in 1878, designed by Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed the Natural History Museum in London, South Kensington and Strangeway Prison. Silwood was requisitioned as a military hospital and convalescent home during WWII, so when the College took it over in 1947 it was surrounded by bleak, but useful, single-storey wards and offices. Some still survive; the present Refectory, Stores and Field Course laboratories are gems of the period. Presumably no-one in 1940 anticipated a working life of over sixty years for these 'temporary' edifices.

A re-digitised version of this important video made in 1981. The full title of this video is- Focus on Information: The Office of the Professional By 1980 the idea of 'focus+content' had been identified and a solution called the Bifocal Display created, in mock-up form anyway. Bob Spence wanted to create a video to show this and other concepts to a wider audience. Videotape was a solution to this. So, just before Christmas in 1980 a video (which is now credited as being the first ever 'envisionment video'), "Office of the Professional" was made. Bill Buxton in his 2007 book ‘Sketching user experiences’ is quoted as saying, in reference to the video, “….is the first example of envisionment videos that I am aware of….” and “….remarkable for its insights…and two years before the launch of the Apple Macintosh.” For more:

The full title of this video is- Focus on Information: The Office of the Professional By 1980 the idea of 'focus+content' had been identified and a solution called the Bifocal Display created, in mock-up form anyway. Bob Spence wanted to create a video to show this and other concepts to a wider audience. Videotape was a solution to this. So, just before Christmas in 1980 a video (which is now credited as being the first ever 'envisionment video'), "Office of the Professional" was made. For more:

Recorded in 1997 this lighthearted discussion on college life, is between Colin Vickery and Bob Spence and is centred on the years from 1952 onwards Colin Vickery was, at the time of the interview, running a postgraduate section on microprocessor applications. He was not going to be available for some of the proceedings of an Alumni event, so Bob interviewed him on video. Bob Spence and Colin Vickery had shared a flat during the time they were doing PhDs under Roy Boothroyd who was Prof Colin Cherry's Reader. Read more: