Joe 90 was a British science fiction TV series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. It aired between 1968 and 1969 and featured a unique concept: a nine-year-old boy named Joe McClaine becomes a spy for the World Intelligence Network (WIN) after his adoptive father invents a device called the "BIG RAT" (Brain Impulse Galvanoscope Record And Transfer). This device allows Joe to acquire the skills and knowledge of top experts, enabling him to take on dangerous missions.
The show was produced using Supermarionation, a technique involving electronic marionette puppetry, and was praised for its detailed model sets and special effects. While not as successful as some of the Andersons' earlier productions, "Joe 90" remains a fascinating example of 1960s sci-fi television.
