This is a recent appearance on the BBC Archive YouTube channel. I do not recall ever seeing this filmed report from the BBC One programme Nationwide, which aired on 6 May 1971. Bob Wellings was the reporter and a well-known face on BBC TV at that time. Professor Laithwaite appeared to be in his characteristically enthusiastic mood and described how a linear motor could potentially power a full-sized train. I have covered all of that in earlier posts.
What is surprising is that it appears in black and white, even though BBC One had already transitioned to full colour broadcasting. Perhaps the film has degraded, and the colour dyes have faded. I hope we see more of him in the BBC Archives; he made numerous television appearances with them over the years as can be seen here via this link:
https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=first&q=eric+laithwaite
Colin Grimshaw August 2025