Polybius Square
Clip: Episode 6 | 1m 42sVideo has Closed Captions
Polybius invents a code so words can be exchanged between battalions freely.
Polybius, a Greek statesman and tutor to the Roman general, Scipio Africanus, sees that the Romans' method of signaling on the battlefield is limited to a small number of messages. He decides to invent a code so words can be exchanged between battalions freely. The result: the first long distance messaging system.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Polybius Square
Clip: Episode 6 | 1m 42sVideo has Closed Captions
Polybius, a Greek statesman and tutor to the Roman general, Scipio Africanus, sees that the Romans' method of signaling on the battlefield is limited to a small number of messages. He decides to invent a code so words can be exchanged between battalions freely. The result: the first long distance messaging system.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Where to Watch Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World
Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS app.
Buy Now
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Episode 6 Preview | The Smartphone
Video has Closed Captions
Preview: Ep6 | 30s | Dial in to the fascinating history of the smartphone. (30s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: Ep6 | 2m 56s | Hedy Lamarr invents a way to control torpedoes remotely. (2m 56s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
- Science and Nature
Explore scientific discoveries on television's most acclaimed science documentary series.
- Science and Nature
Capturing the splendor of the natural world, from the African plains to the Antarctic ice.
New Episode
New Episode
Support for PBS provided by: