Joe 90

Why It Mattered

The series combined Supermarionation, miniature effects and spy fiction around an unusually young protagonist. Its fantasy of transferable knowledge reflected late-1960s fascination with computers, automation and accelerated learning.

BIG RAT and the Brainwave Glasses

• BIG RAT stood for Brain Impulse Galvanoscope Record And Transfer.
• The machine transferred recorded expert knowledge to nine-year-old Joe McClaine through special glasses.
• The premise allowed Joe to adopt a new specialist role for each mission.

Supermarionation Production

• Century 21 used puppets, miniature sets, model vehicles and practical effects.
• The programme followed Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet during the studio’s peak period.
• Thirty episodes were made for the 1968–1969 run.

End of Production and Preservation

• Production ended in 1969 as Century 21 moved to The Secret Service and later live-action work.
• Soundtrack issues and restored DVD and Blu-ray editions preserve the series.
• All thirty episodes survive.

Associated With

Gerry and Sylvia Anderson / Century 21 Productions - creator or production company

Defining Feature

Puppet spy series about a boy given transferred expert knowledge

Status

Discontinued - Original series ended in 1969; all thirty episodes survive through later releases

Primary Records

• Gerry Anderson — Joe 90 Original Television Soundtrack
• BFI Sight and Sound — Gerry Anderson, 1929–2012

Image Sources

• Image 1 source not verified — editorial review required.
• Image 2 source not verified — editorial review required.
• Image 3 source not verified — editorial review required.
• Image 4 source not verified — editorial review required.
• Image 5 source not verified — editorial review required.

Rights Notice

Images are included for historical and archival reference.

Rights holders may contact Forgotten Archive through the publishing account to request a credit correction or removal.

Gallery and image credits