Tomorrow's World was a hugely popular weekly BBC1 prime time programme that showcased the technology of the future. It was an ever-optimistic (often over-optimistic) magazine programme that put its faith in science and technology to overcome the challenges of the day.
Broadcast live in its early years, Tomorrow's World was famous for studio demonstrations that often didn't go quite according to plan.
Hosted in the studio in the 1960s by broadcasting legends Raymond Baxter and James Burke the programme also included filmed location segments. Raymond Baxter usually sat in a black swivel chair and used his Parker pen as a pointer. James Burke wore his trademark thick rimmed glasses and spoke with enthusiasm and authority in equal measure.
The line-up of presenters changed over the years and included other well-known faces such as William Woollard, Michael Rodd, Judith Hann, Maggie Philbin, Howard Stableford, Philippa Forrester, Peter Macann Bob Symes and Carol Vorderman.
Tomorrow's World was the launchpad for my love of physics and technology in the 1960s and 70s, and doubtless that of thousands of school children of my generation. I was visiting Television Centre many years later and watched part of the programme being made - though in its latter years it had lost some of its impact (or had I just grown up?)
This well-known classic theme tune was composed and played by John Dankworth. The tune was replaced in the 1970s or early 1980s.
There was an earlier theme tune composed by Marius Constant. This lasted I think for the initial 1965 season. However, one source states that the first signature tune lasted only six episodes and was then replaced by the Dankworth tune for the rest of series 1. If anyone knows for sure please leave a comment below.
For years during the 70s, the familiar Thursday evening BBC1 continuity announcement was 'in a moment Tomorrow's World then at 7.30 it's Top of the Pops'.

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