The Brains Trust

Image: The Brains Trust 1948 - Robert Booothby M.P, Dr C.E.M. Joad, Gilbert Harding (question master) and Dr. J. Bronowski.

The Brains Trust - the panel of five experts who answered questions sent in by listeners - began on 1 January 1941. The series was first called Any Questions, but it was renamed The Brains Trust the following year. The panel included Professor Julian Huxley, C.E.M. Joad, and Commander A.B. Campbell. Their individual approaches and sometimes argumentative style ensured The Brains Trust became very popular, at its peak attracting nearly a third of all adult listeners, and 4,400 letters a week.

The Brains Trust was introduced to provide more serious programmes on the Forces radio service. It was adapted by producer Howard Thomas from the American programme Information Please. Thomas coined the term question master to describe the role of Donald McCullough.

The panel were not briefed on the questions, and their answers gave rise to catchphrases, such as Joad's qualifying "it all depends what you mean by...", and Campbell's "When I was in Patagonia..." Questions ranged from the trivial to the serious, for example "do we think this world is worthwhile?" or "what is the difference between fresh air and a draught?".

The Brains Trust continued until 1949 with many other eminent brains, before transferring to television in 1950. The term Brains Trust became common, used to describe any gathering of experts.