06/11/2017 Inside Out South

Hello.

Did Nasa copy the invention

of a scientist from Sussex?

All the ideas, when

you get them are so

obvious that you wonder why

you never thought of them

before, but nobody had.

We know of a certain

companies that employ people

simply to go through newly

filed patents to see how

they could get around it.

Also Paul Mayhew-Archer tries

to find something funny to say about

Parkinson's.

My wife is no longer my wife,

she is my carer and when I told

my wife this, she said, "Well,

I don't care for you, Paul."

And we meet the inhabitants

of one of the Dorset's

untouched landscapes.

It's a colourful patchwork

of small pastures

and a flower-rich hay

meadow, which I think

is pretty much unrivaled.

First, you might not realise it,

but the South of England is a big

player when it comes

to all things space.

We have world leading

companies, entrepreneurs and

inventors all pushing technology

to the absolute limit.

So, if you do come up

with the latest big idea, you'll get

the credit for, right?

JFK: We choose to go to the moon

in this decade and to do

other things, not because they are

easy but because they are hard.

Three, two, one, zero.

Lift off.

We have a liftoff.

Since the 1960s, the world's

greatest minds have been

racing to reach the stars

and expand our horizons.

This is the first

orbital test satellite.

It's the forerunner of all the comms

spacecrafts that you have.

This is the daddy of them all.

While Nasa often grabs

the headlines, an engineer

from Sussex played a major role

behind the scenes and

believes the Americans

have stolen his idea.

They never gave me

credit for anything.

It's so bad and it's not normal.

Back in the '70s, engineer

Alan Weinberg started

work at the European Space Agency

designing solar array power system.

What's more, they are still in use

today on almost spacecraft and

satellites in orbit.

When I arrived at the European

Space Agency, we had more

or less a clean sheet as far

as the power system was confirmed.

Concerned.

When you look at what the Americans

were doing it was...

And the Russians,

it was pretty basic.

He left the Space Agency

in 1995, three years later,

Nasa launched the International

Space Station powered by a massive

array of solar panels

and some of Alan's designs.

But the power system had a major

flaw, the original solar

panels could only survive

around 15 years in space.

At the time of the launch,

Alan was working as a

self-employed engineer

and came up with a solution.

They are past their lifetime now.

At the beginning of life,

they've got excess power and

my idea was let's use this excess

power, let's not keep the solar

array at constant voltage.

But let's vary the solar array.

I patented it because I felt

that it was a smart idea and

nobody had thought of that

and having said that,

it seems simple, but at the time

when I put it to

other people, it didn't

seem simple to them.

Alan spent £35,000 securing his

patent, but as he had

never heard from Nasa,

he assumed his idea to very

Has

--vary the voltage had been ignored.

system should have

started to fail is life

continuing as normal?

I'm absolutely certain

that they are varying the voltage.

And this is the basis of my patent.

And they can do this easily

because they have all

the equipment to do that.

Nasa insists the voltage

is always kept

at a set point of 160 volts,

but data from the space station's

power station is broadcast on ISS

live.

And that clearly shows

the voltage changing.

Intellectual property rights

like Alan's patent are a hot

topic in the UK right now.

Especially here in the south

where the space industry is booming.

Here at the UK's

Space Agency's research

base in Oxfordshire,

Catherine is the director of growth.

Space is a bit of a quiet

success story for the UK.

Making a big contribution to many

different sectors in the UK,

about 250 billion's worth.

When people want to do something

innovative in space, they often come

here to the UK and you know, we are

a nation of inventors and that's

what people like to work with.

So we're building...

One of our brightest

up-and-coming stars in the

business is Oxford space systems.

The space race is on.

We're seeing this

transition from space being

dominated by countries and large

agencies and flipping into

commercial space so, there is great

opportunities there for

entrepreneurs.

For CEO Mike, ideas

are the firm's lifeblood, but

keeping hold of them can be tricky.

It's that delicate balance

between disclosing your intellectual

property to achieve sales,

but without giving away the crown

jewels of how you make your product

or how

you formulate a material.

Because a patent in

the process of trying to

protect also almost shows your hands

of cards to the people who are

interested in your idea.

Absolutely.

In fact we know of certain companies

that employ people simply to go

through newly filed patents to work

at how that can be replicated or how

they can get around it.

And there is another

problem because if a

government agency wants

to use your patented idea, legally,

you can't stop them.

Though, they are supposed

to pay you for it.

There is an argument

to be made if the

technology is so great,

than it is probably right

for a government to want access

to it and ownership of it.

And most governments generally

would look to strike a deal

with the inventor because clearly,

you are the guy who

invented the technology,

you are the real smart person that

knows how to exploit this.

It is better to have

you on side rather

than shut you out.

But, of course, there

are horror stories where

inventors do get shut out.

And shut out was exactly

how Alan was feeling

about Nasa.

So, he'd lawyered up.

I did eventually find

a no-win, no fee lawyer.

They invited me to come over

and I spent the week with them

and we went through everything and

they started to dig for information

using the Freedom

of Information Act.

Alan thought he had finally got

the proof he needed when this report

from Nasa landed on his desk.

But they still weren't

giving anything away.

Redacted page after redacted page,

all of it labelled classified

under the US arms

export control act.

It's an International Space Station,

you can't claim an arms

agreement as a reason

for not giving information.

So eventually they came back

with some sort of information,

but it wasn't sufficient.

Alan's lawyers sought

compensation from

Nasa, but Nasa said no.

They maintained they

had it copied his

patent and weren't

varying the voltage.

The live data from this space

station seems to show it does

vary and we have seen e-mails

to Alan from Nasa's employees

confirming they can vary the voltage

from back here on earth.

But that still doesn't

prove they are using

Alan's idea.

If Alan wants to take his claim

to court, he could be in

for a drawn out

and expensive ordeal.

In 2009, Nasa was

ordered to pay Boeing

$28 million for using one

of their patented ideas.

And a legal battle with an aircraft

company went on for --

an aircraft company over

another patent went

on

for 20 years.

In the end, my patent lawyers said

to me, look, we can't

continue with this.

Nasa aren't admitting

anything and it means we

have to take them to court

and that is going to

cost us a lot of money.

We contacted Nasa to ask how

they keep the power set at 160 volts

when their own data shows that it

varies

and how they have managed to extend

the life span of the power system

without using Alan's idea.

After asking for more

time, not once, but

three times, Nasa eventually told us

what they told Alan five years

ago, that they don't

change the voltage.

The greater our knowledge

increases, the greater

our ignorance.

Back in Sussex, Alan's

still inventing.

He is currently working on two

improved power systems.

He reckons they are ground-breaking.

But his fight with Nasa

has left its mark.

The eyes of the world

now look to space.

I'll be very careful

the next time and make

sure that I am fully

protected or try to be fully

protected if that's possible.

Is it possible?

No, currently not.

Sad, isn't it?

Now, don't forget,

as ever, if you want

to get in touch with the show,

then drop me an e-mail at...

Still to come...

Punch lines and Parkinson's.

My view is just make them think

something funny is about to happen

and then just when they realise it

isn't used left them.

Next, what happened next?

Time for an update on

some of our stories.

In September, we brought

you the story of Stevie,

the Southampton scaffolder whose

online alter ego is trapped.

I've caught two.

One just on the corner

there and then another one over

there.

Stevie's a so-called

paedophile hunter.

The police say paedophile

hunters are vigilantes.

They pose as children

online to catch predators

who arrange to meet them.

Following a recent sting,

a man he caught killed himself after

he was released from police custody,

pending further investigation.

On our programme, we showed

you a man who groomed

Stevie in just two days.

You arranged to meet a 14-year-old

boy here today.

For sex.

No.

Yes you have, mate.

Robert, the man being stung,

is a serial paedophile.

He pleaded guilty to attempting

to meet a child following

sexual grooming in Southampton

Crown Court last month.

And was sentenced to

seven years in prison.

Speechless.

Remember the locksmith company

overcharging customers

across the South?

This company charged

a man from Swindon £730.

It's not what I asked

for, it is not like

for like.

Appalling.

When we caught up with

the owner Gary, he promised

to put things right.

The ones in your report,

we will refund them

immediately.

A full refund?

Yes.

And good news.

Ann got her refund

and a bunch of flowers.

We called Gary up to give him

a nudge because the

other two people in our report

had not been refunded.

They have now got their money back.

And finally, there is also

good news for the tower

block residents who were fed up with

being back of the queue for upgrades

and repairs.

My kitchen sink exploded.

It is just a nightmare.

Southampton City Council told us

that it has brought forward the pipe

replacement for this

block of towers.

We don't feel safe because how can

that be a fire door when the

other door is swinging open?

Residents were concerned

about the fire doors that don't

close in high winds.

Experts told us they were unsafe.

Heaven forbid, but if there

was a disaster here, this is

on record.

The Council has told us

that replacement door

sets for the fire doors

to the lift, lobby and staircase

have been ordered and as an interim

measure, stronger door closers have

been fitted to a number of doors.

Next, Paul Mayhew-Archer

is a comedy writer.

He also has Parkinson's.

Nothing funny about that

unless you decide to turn your hand

to stand up comedy.

And that is exactly what he did.

18 months ago, I stumbled in front

of a television camera to make

a little documentary called

Parkinson's: The Funny Side.

And now I've stumbled

back in front of the

same camera to make a little

follow-up, so follow me.

The groom is already married.

It was the funny side

because I am a comedy writer

who used to write something set

in a village called Dibley.

Oh, sorry.

Wrong church.

And it was Parkinson's the funny

side because well, because

I've got it.

Maybe she can cure.

Yes, it is gone, you see?

Isn't that amazing?

My brain was producing jokes,

but it wasn't producing

dopamine.

Which is the chemical it uses

to send messages to the rest of

the body.

No one knows why,

but in the programme,

we looked at some of the amazing

therapies now possible.

Absolutely astonishing.

I also took a ballet

because music and dance

help to control the symptoms.

And I was experimenting heavily

with chocolate as a possible cure.

Since I saw you last,

somethings have

stayed the same, the chocolate

addiction, but other things have

changed.

So one of the things I noticed

is that I'd take some pills

first thing in the morning

and as it is coming up to lunchtime,

I'm having to take some more

pills because I am...

They are sort of wearing off.

And my footsteps which are

normally quite normal have

turned in to sort of

David Suchet's Hercule Poirot.

What a pity Hercule never

used his little brain

cells to solve the mystery

of Parkinson's.

Anyway, walking is something

I have done since...

Well, since I could

walk, but it is good

to try new things because back

in light of new bits in the brain.

So I've decided to

have a go at standup

comedy.

But first, sit down comedy

or to give it its proper name, my

Parkinson's ballet class.

So, any tips on doing

standup comedy from my

ballet buddies?

Just don't freeze.

Just don't freeze.

One of the symptoms

of Parkinson's is freezing

where you just stop moving for

a couple of minutes or even longer.

I heard of someone who got

stuck on the Circle

to go all the way around.

Again and again and again.

Because they couldn't manage

to get off the train.

And if I use comedy

to keep my spirits up, what

do others do?

These exercises, these various types

of physical movements

are giving us an aid against this...

Sorry.

Oh.

Sorry.

Some of these people

are keeping going and

keeping generally cheerful.

I mean, we are generally

cheerful people.

LAUGHTER.

honestly.

We are.

My wife has

noticed the changes.

He did go to

the fridge the other day and he got

me something and I was cooking it.

He opened the fridge and then

went... And I think I said something

like, take all day! I just thought,

oh, I shouldn't have said that. So

it is that sort of thing he wasn't

used to doing.

Feeling pretty smug

that I got off the soaker line and

hoping that I don't freeze, I

shuffled to London's West End for my

first ever go at standup. Here I am

outside the renowned comedy store

and I think I will just go home.

And

if you think we don't care more

about dogs and humans, I will sum it

up, I went to get a use dog...

Good

evening.

The comedy store has launched the

careers of some comedy great since

it started 38 years ago. The club

founder has some amazing stories.

Never heard of Robbie Williams.

Never heard of them. Robbie went on

to do five minutes and he a 45

minutes later.

And I am worried

about doing ten minutes mind you, I

have Parkinson's. Mind you, rumour

has it so did he. My first. Time to

get some tips. Starting with quick

fire comedian Tim Vine.

This is what

I do sometimes if I forget my act, I

go left leg, right leg, left leg, it

is a running order.

The RSPCA can

come around legally and check to see

if your house is big enough for the

dog and if it isn't they take the

dog away. But they leave you there.

Some very useful advice from John

Maloney.

Yes, phase forward and...

Get out there. That will do.

Generally works for me.

And Lucy

Porter tries to reassure me.

It is

your first gig, it is sold out.

Is

good going. No pressure. Tonight's

event is the brainchild of this man.

Whose father was diagnosed with

Parkinson's 17 years ago.

He is 75

now. It was quite early, early than

some people we know.

That is about

my age.

It is important to talk

about things. Doesn't matter what it

is, if you see something that is

difficult and challenging or even

just something people don't normally

talk about, you should talk about

it. Comedy store is cathartic. Isn't

it? I get a laugh. They are both

medicinal. Yeah, that is working

fine.

You're very kind. It is nice of you.

Unfortunately my medicine from

earlier are wearing off and I'm not

feeling freight. I'm a little bit

off at the moment. It hasn't kicked

in yet. I'm sort of slow and

perhaps... My hand so move very

well.

You've just taken some pills.

I was feeling very dopey.

Hey, I am

on the front page everyone. Look.

I'll!

I'm going to sit down again. That is

lovely.

Ladies and gentlemen please

give a huge welcome for Mr...

Our

next act has Parkinson's. So are you

ready to see? Please welcome to the

states, the fantastic Paul.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

According to the Parkinson's UK

website, every hour someone in this

country is told they have

Parkinson's. That is pretty serious.

That means some of us are being told

that the rear cog in the morning. --

are being told at three o'clock in

the morning. Wake up. What is a?

You've got Parkinson's. Go back to

sleep. I was diagnosed at 11 o'clock

in the morning by a friend. I went

to see him. I told him that I had an

arm that didn't swing very well. And

he said, I don't want to worry you,

but you either have Parkinson's. I

don't know what he would say if he

did want to worry me. I've always

seen my life as a bit of a sitcom. I

come from a sitcom kind of family.

Two years after my wife and I got

married, my father married my wife's

mother, which means I am married to

my stepson start.

mother, which means I am married to

my stepson And then when we had our

son he is my stepson. I've always

regarded Parkinson's as a new

episode in my sitcom life. Sometimes

the funny things that people says.

There was another neurologist he had

a delivery. My wife asked him does

Parkinson's expect life expectancy.

He said, well be used to think it

did, but then about six years ago as

we decided that it did not. But now

we think it does. My wife is no

longer my wife, she is my care were.

we think it does. My wife is no

longer my wife, she is my care When

I told my wife that she was my

carer, she said why don't care for

you Paul. I'm doing all right. I'm

doing some comedy and doing a right.

She said oh, Paul, it is good to

laugh I still can. In fact I'm going

to have a laugh tomorrow morning

when I would wake someone up at

three in the morning and tell them

that they have Parkinson's. Good

night!

Come on, ready with a high

five.

Paul, brilliant. Tells people

what it is really about. And tells

people not to be afraid. Just face

it. Love the man.

I love that. I

absolutely love that.

I think Paul

was absolutely amazing. I think he's

started big Emmys and extra big. And

he was even bigger in the middle.

He'll be here every Friday and

Saturday night.

Leave something for

the rest of us.

I love him. He needs

to come back again.

Comedy. It may

not work for everyone, but my

goodness it works for me. Even

better than chocolate.

Nice one, Paul grey to have you on

the show. Our final story is about

an old-fashioned farmer who sat back

and did not much. All around him

grew the most wonderful landscape

ablaze so beautiful that it has

attracted a prince, a billionaire,

birds, bees and butterflies aplenty.

Nick Baker has been to the Meadows

and are set. -- in Dorset. A

throwback before times of pesticides

and chemical fertilisers. In June it

is buzzing with insect life. While

these flowers draw in the bugs in

their millions. 30 years ago, it was

a very different story. This whole

line scab -- landscape became very

close to destruction.

To a do I

hear...

By all accounts a lazy man.

His lack of innovation was a boon

for the wildlife here. The wildlife

trust bought most of the estate and

packages. Earlier this year, the

Prince of Wales came here to mark

its 30th anniversary.

This really is a meadow fit for a

prince. Check out the botanical

royalty in these rather splendid

orchids. There's loads of them here.

Amongst the orchids these flowers

are nectar for bugs. This is a real

beauty. This blackbird has a

mouthful of insects taken from here.

Here is a mosque taking pollen. --

we desperately need more places like

this.

In the trees around, you can pick up

words like this one. This case it

dives after a fly. It is heaven for

sparrows as well. These wants, and

birds have declined by 70%. They

have not turned their back on

farming. These cattle lightly graze

the metal keeping the thicker grass

under control.

Running through the reserve a

different habitat. This time of

year, thousands of these flies hover

over the rivers. This one is a male.

When they slow down, you can see the

wings moving independently. They

powered these insects and give them

their extraordinary mobility. What a

place this is! I guess we have to

thank the folks from 30 years of was

for this vision of what it could

become. And also those who helped

out to secure its future. There are

very few places like this left. Long

may it prosper. Nick Baker there.

That is it for now. And for this

series. We will be back early in the

new year with plenty more stories.

Until then, goodbye.