In 1953 Sir Ian Jacob, Director-General of the BBC, made a note after an executive lunch that “a young but highly professional meteorologist who was in the party” had suggested that it would be better if BBC Television’s weather forecasts, instead of showing just weather maps and charts, had the forecaster himself appearing on screen.Previously the televised weather forecasts had shown nothing more than a disembodied hand coming into picture from one side to point out the relevant bits on a chart while an announcer read the bulletin.
It does not appear that George Cowling was the highly professional youngster who made the suggestion, but when within the year the idea became reality, with the help of “an easel and treatment to walls for background”