https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/c3845d1f-b341-4410-ab47-a11aee6e84a0 Produced by Robert Bendick and narrated by Alexander Scoursby, NBC's "Thresholds for Tomorrow" (1962) is a forward-looking documentary that explores how humanity may be able to solve its greatest challenges—hunger, disease, energy, and education—through a scientific and technological revolution. 00:00 Using Alice in Wonderland as a framework, the film introduces the idea of "believing in impossible things" as humanity crosses scientific thresholds. For centuries, humans have asked the same questions about the nature of life, thought, matter, and the universe. We are finally close to the answers. 2:20 A look at the sun as a source of power / solar power. 3:01 Particle Accelerators. Scientists use cyclotrons to shatter atoms with precision. 4:08 Project Plowshare. Peaceful uses of atomic explosions, including blasting new harbors in Alaska, creating underground water reservoirs, and freeing oil from shale. 5:16 Nuclear reactors are shown providing electricity in the US and at isolated Antarctic bases. Small "SNAP" isotope generators are used for weather stations and satellites. 6:44 Fusion Research. Scientists attempt to duplicate the sun's power on Earth through fusion. 8:14 Radioactive Isotopes. Isotopes are used as tracers to test industrial wear and tear, follow bird migrations, and treat cancer (specifically using cobalt-60 radiation). 10:50 The Screwworm Project. A case study in Florida where 3 billion screwworm flies were sterilized using radiation and released, successfully eradicating the pest in the region. 13:02 Oceanography. Teams of scientists map the Indian and Pacific Oceans to locate food and fertilizer for growing global populations. 14:17 Sea Farming and Mining. "Atomic gardens" on the sea floor and motorized barges harvesting kelp. 16:53 Project Mohole. Geophysicists hope to learn how the planet was formed. 18:27 Desalinization. Experimental pilot plants at Point Loma, California, work on turning seawater into fresh water to solve the world's increasing water shortages. 20:13 Scientists investigate mitosis (cell division) and how hereditary patterns are transferred from generation to generation. 22:38 The discovery of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is highlighted. Man will one day alter DNA to correct physical and mental imperfections. 25:21 Weather Control. One day dissipate hurricanes using atomic bombs or chemicals. 26:59 Micro-miniaturization. The use of man-made crystals (transistors) allows for smaller electronics, leading to miniature hearing aids and heart pacers. 29:30 Ruby crystals are used to create "ordered light" laser beams powerful enough to perform surgery on a single cell or carry thousands of phone conversations. 30:16 Early Artificial Intelligence. A magnetic mouse in a maze demonstrates how machines can "learn" from errors. Computers are described as an extension of human thinking. 31:43 The Think Factory. Computers can solve complex problems. 34:22 Automated systems are shown running freight yards, rolling steel, and cracking oil. 37:52 Brain Research. Zoologists study learning in octopuses, while neurologists monitor monkey brain waves in centrifuges to prepare for the stress of space travel. 41:03 Human Psychology. Scientists use electrodes to study how the human brain reacts to stress. Research into brain chemistry is used to treat schizophrenia and juvenile delinquency. 43:06 Scientific ingenuity addresses the teacher shortage by creating "assistant teachers." These mechanical and electronic devices allow students to learn algebra or logic at their own pace, automatically grading progress and relieving instructors of rote teaching. 44:51 Schools utilize tape recorders for language study. "Sleep learning," where tapes played at night facilitate full language facility in just two months. 46:28 Bionics and Interspecies Communication. Scientists study porpoises to understand their high learning ability (comparable to a 6 to 8-year-old child) and their "speech," which the Navy hopes to translate for underwater tracking. This new field of bionics also examines bats, snakes, and insects to duplicate animal sensory systems for human technology. 48:42 While machines can surpass human logic, they lack humor, compassion, and morality. The responsibility for progress and safety lies within the human mind, which must use its freedom and wisdom to control the future and ensure the welfare of mankind. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film, we'd love to hear from you. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. 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