Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Dr. Graham Tattersall offered up some interesting thoughts on the Late Show . He gave examples of how looking at real world situations, and clever use of mathematics could make us think differently about how to approach solving problems. You'll just have to listen to the interview to see how he solved the problem of how to calculate how much your head weighs.

Looking for a solution to the world's energy problems? Knowing that the humble housefly can generate enough power to light a small led might just throw some light on this particular problem. Put enough of them together and you might be able to power a car.

As for Graham's photograph, we discovered he has a passion for restoring things. He explains; "It's a photograph of a Perkins 4236 diesel engine, and it's in the back of an old road sweeping lorry. I hadn't realised that road sweeping lorries have two engines, this is the kind of thing which interests 'geeks'". He added: "That second engine, is about 50 or 60 horsepower, and it drives a fan which is about one metre in diameter.

The reason I sent you the photograph is that I have an old RNLI lifeboat, and I needed to replace the engine in that boat, and a Perkins 4236 is an ideal marine engine, or can be marinised and made ideal for putting in a boat and I found one in this dustcart."

He added:"It's a symbolic photograph for me because all of my life, I've been interested in mechanical and electrical things from early childhood. And, when I see an old engine like that I suppose I get an impulse, like one of those Victorian street missionaries when they see a fallen woman, they have a desire to make it alright again. So, when I see a rusty old engine, I think I could have that running beautifully, and all painted up and new bearings and all the rest of it and it'll have another thirty years of life."

Graham also reveals how his long suffering wife had to wait twenty years for the house they live in to be completed.