Heinz Wolff obituary

Scientist and inventor best known for presenting BBC2's The Great Egg Race

Heinz Wolff, who has died aged 89, was one of a long line of distinguished British scientists who became even more distinguished television presenters and apostles of science. With his trademark bow tie, quizzical look, characteristic pronunciation patterns and appetite for invention, he hosted a pioneering TV programme called The Great Egg Race from 1979 to 1986 and almost certainly inspired thousands of young viewers to take up careers in engineering or research.

His looks and manners helped fit him neatly into the populist category of "eccentric egghead", and in many ways he cheerfully exploited the image. But he remained to the end a serious, committed scientist and spokesman for science.