About this season
An insider's look at the engineering and scientific miracles behind the things that form the modern world.
Episodes (20)
1. Parmesan, Runways, Reclining Chairs
Aired 15 May 2014 • 22 min
A look at how to make parmesan cheese, and the key to keeping the runways running at the world's busiest airports. Plus, a look at manufacturing reclining chairs
2. Carpets, Skis, Niagara Power
Aired 22 May 2014 • 22 min
A look at ways to weave an authentic Turkish carpet, and how helicopter blade technology is being used to make cross country skis. Plus, the practicalities behind the Niagara Falls
3. Nori, Beer Bottles, Shark Deterrents
Aired 29 May 2014 • 22 min
A look at how sea weed for sushi is farmed, how a beer bottle is made that lasts for fifteen years and how they keep swimmers and surfers off a sharks menu.
4. Brass, Ice Patrol, Penjing
Aired 5 June 2014 • 22 min
Examining how the street lamps of Venice are cast, and how tiny trees are grown for the ancient Chinese art of penjing.
5. Racing Bikes, Stunt Pilots, Oil Well
Aired 12 June 2014 • 22 min
A look at how one of the fastest bikes in the world was created, how pilots train to perform death-defying acrobatics, and how oil and gas is brought up from the bottom of the sea.
6. Bagels, Racing Tires, Liuli Glass
Aired 19 June 2014 • 22 min
A look at how New York bagels are hand-rolled, how they make a racing car tyre that will grip the track at 320kph, and how life-like sculptures are created out of glass.
7. Trash Collecting in Venice, Australian Sheepskin, Pond Algae
Aired 26 June 2014 • 22 min
A look at how waste is collected in Venice, how Australia's famous sheepskin boots are made, and how pond algae is turned into a health supplement
8. Turkish Delight. Silver. Sunscreen
Aired 3 July 2014 • 22 min
Examining how rosebuds are turned into Turkish delight, and how sunscreen is made to block out harmful UV light. Plus, how to hammer out a silver spoon.
9. Canvas. Stinky Tofu. Bottle Recycling
Aired 10 July 2014 • 22 min
A look at how the world's finest canvases are created, how tofu is made, and how to get 50 drinks out of a single bottle of beer.
10. Beekeeping. Trikes. Body Armour
Aired 17 July 2014 • 22 min
An insight into how people care for bees, plus a look at how to build a trike that can carry a whole family and how to stop a bullet with a sheet of ceramic.
11. Heat-Proof Glass. ATMs. Pagani
Aired 10 October 2014 • 22 min
An insight into how the minerals that are an essential ingredient in glass cookware are mined, and a look at how money is kept safe and secure inside cash machines.
12. Aquavit, Motorcycle Racing Suits, Cleaning a Cathedral
How the alcoholic spirit aquavit is made, and how kangaroos help protect motorcycle riders in a crash. Plus, a look at the cleaning of New York's St Patrick's Cathedral
13. Dock Cranes, Plastic Bags, Baubles
Aired 24 October 2014 • 22 min
How do they build a port ready to receive huge container ships? How do they make 28 million plastic bags a day? How do they blow the glass to make...
14. Balsamic Vinegar, Drysuits, Stunt Plane
Aired 24 October 2014 • 22 min
How do they make the world's most expensive vinegar? How do they keep divers warm in the freezing ocean? How do they build a plane that can fly upside down?
15. Super Steel, Wool, Kiteboards
Aired 7 November 2014 • 22 min
A look at the process of forging super steel to make cars lighter, greener and safer, and how Australia's 80 million sheep are sheared every spring.
16. Soybean Matress, Aircraft Seats, Bra Design
Aired 21 November 2014 • 22 min
The technological processes involved in keeping people comfortable, entertained and safe with the latest aircraft seats, and a look at the design of bras with aerospace technology.
17. Dry Wall, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Statuettes, Skytruck
Aired 28 November 2014 • 22 min
How plasterboard is made from power station smoke, the casting of the world's top awards, and how planes are built that can take off and land almost anywhere.
18. Car Windows, Glossy Lipstick
Aired 31 December 2014 • 22 min
How car windows are made to keep out wind and rain, stones, thieves, noise and harmful UV rays. Plus, a look at the way gloss is added to create the perfect shade of lipstick
19. Madeira, Aircraft Seats, Batteries
Aired 31 December 2014 • 22 min
A look at how George Washington's favourite tipple is made, how aircraft seats are tested without crashing a plane, and the manufacturing processes behind billions of batteries
20. Nickel, Canal Locks, Bubble Tea
Aired 31 December 2014 • 22 min
A look at how nickel is mined, how the lock gates for canals are built so that barges and boats can climb hills, and the processes involved in creating Taiwan's beloved bubble tea