Magnus Pyke - Bibliography

Food scientist and broadcaster, born in London, UK. He studied at Montreal and London, researched nutrition under wartime conditions for the Ministry of Food (1941–5), and worked in the distilling industry (1949–73). His lively and slightly eccentric manner, along with a gift for communicating scientific knowledge, led to his selection as a host for the television science series Don't Ask Me (1974–80). He wrote a number of scientific books for the layman, including Butter-side Up (1976) and Red Rag to a Bull (1983).

Dr. Magnus Pyke (29 December 1908 – 19 October 1992) was a British scientist and media figure, who, although apparently quite eccentric and playing up to the mad scientist stereotype, made a successful effort to explain science to a lay audience.

Pyke was a regular panellist on the Yorkshire Television science programme Don't Ask Me from 1974 to 1979, which was later changed to Don't Just Sit There. The programme consisted of the panel attempting to answer viewers' queries about science and the everyday world.

Pyke appears on the song, and the video, "She Blinded Me with Science" by Thomas Dolby, where he shouts "science" and provides other sound bites.

Bibliography

Pyke wrote over a dozen books on science including:

Weird & wonderful science facts Man and Food The human predicament: An anthology with questions by Cedric Blackman Long life: Expectations for old age Food and Society The Science Century Butter Side Up!