Film Lens
Speed is a 1984 documentary film directed by Greg MacGillivray that examines humanity's obsession with speed in various fields, including auto racing and aerospace. The film begins with a primitive hunter-gatherer and transitions through history, showcasing significant milestones in speed development. It is structured into five parts: 'The Dawn of Original Thinking', 'The Engine Revolution', 'The Sky Has No Limit', 'Faster than Man', and 'We Have Just Begun to Crawl'. Each section presents technological advancements and cultural impacts related to speed.
The film features notable figures such as Kirkpatrick Macmillan, who invented the first self-propelled bicycle in 1839, and Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier in 1947. It also discusses the evolution of auto racing, including the tragic story of Billy Vukovich, who won the Indianapolis 500 before his death in a race. The film concludes with a reflection on the future of speed and its limits, comparing human achievements to the speed of light as defined by Albert Einstein.
Why Watch
- •See Kirkpatrick Macmillan's bicycle invention in action.
- •Meet Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier in 1947.
- •Find out about Billy Vukovich's tragic Indianapolis 500 story.
Did You Know
•Kirkpatrick Macmillan invented the first self-propelled bicycle in 1839.
•The Stanley Steamer set a world record of 127 miles per hour in the 1900s.
•The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reached a top speed of 3,400 miles per hour.
•Apollo 10 astronauts returned to Earth at 24,791 miles per hour in 1969.
Perfect For
Auto racing fansAerospace enthusiastsHistory of technology