The educational value of representations of science and innovation in the animated TV series <i>Professor Balthazar</i>

This paper reviews the popular TV cartoon series Professor Balthazar , which was first produced in Yugoslavia in the 1960s–1970s and has recently been revived with the release of a new season and computer game. The paper argues that, despite its somewhat clichéd portrayal of a scientist, the series still manages to present a rather nuanced representation of the scientific process, including the scientific method and the importance of failure for innovation. This could partly stem from the Zagreb School of Animation's preoccupation with abstract critiques of issues such as modern technology, and from the humanist socialist political environment in which the series was first developed. This new analysis suggests that the cartoon series, which has been overlooked in science and technology studies, could be used more directly in science education, extending beyond its current use in the media culture curriculum in primary schools.