The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation — Season 6

Aired 28 September 2019 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovator creating superstrong thread from spider DNA; the boxing robot dodging your jabs; the tiny drone that keeps soldiers safe; and, when the sewing machine replaced the needle and thread.

Aired 5 October 2019 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the bot baking you the freshest bread; the family building the air cleaner for the cleanest air; glasses to prevent motion sickness; and, going way, way back to the history of the station wagon.

Aired 12 October 2019 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the crime-fighting tether tripping up bad guys; the woman who started the blow-drying empire; window blinds powering your place; and, when the big wood saw was replaced with the sawmill.

Aired 19 October 2019 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the inventor of the Alinker Bike that’s changing the world for those with limited mobility; the school bus tracker cutting out waiting at bus stops; a shoe sole sensor keeping track of your feet; and, when tech began to aid accessibility.

Aired 26 October 2019 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us robots that grow as they slither along; the wall shelves just for cats; French igloos, housing their homeless; and, when glass became artistic.

Aired 2 November 2019 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the emergency airplane slides for buildings and schools; parking sensors for your older car; the smartest ski boots on the slopes; and, the incredible tenacity it takes to be a successful inventor.

Aired 9 November 2019 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us technology that lets firefighters see through smoke; replacing the needle with jet-injected medicine; an enzyme that can eat landfill plastic; and, the oldest surviving American automobile.

Aired 16 November 2019 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us a women’s rain boot stylishly keeping shoes dry; the tomato sorter swatting away the green ones; the folding origami hot drink cup with no plastic lid; and, before superstores, there were general stores.

Aired 23 November 2019 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the device forcing scofflaws to pay parking tickets by covering their windshields; closing a wound with a zip, not a stitch; bike navigation showing riders the way; and, carpets took a beating until the vacuum cleaner was invented.

Aired 18 January 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us solar power that follows the sun; the wristband lulling you to sleep; the device letting us know if our water is pure; and, the beginning of superhero comic books.

Aired 25 January 2020 • 30 min

Mo Rocca shows us grown-up building blocks; the mechanical shoe for those who can’t bend over; the breathing pillow to snuggle you to sleep; and, keeping track of historic innovations.

Aired 1 February 2020 • 30 min

Mo Rocca shows us the bot baking you the freshest bread; the crime-fighting tether tripping up bad guys; the tiny drone keeping soldiers safe; and, when the big wood saw was replaced with the sawmill.

Aired 8 February 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the robot helping keep hospitals running smoothly; the device that can detect if that spot on your arm is skin cancer; concrete that drinks up rainwater; and, how hybrid technology goes back a lot further in history than you might think.

Aired 15 February 2020 • 30 min

Mo Rocca shows us the electronic glasses that allow the blind to see; the sun tracking umbrella shielding you from harmful rays; updates on past innovators from previous seasons; and, a look at George Washington Carver, who changed the way farmers farmed.

Aired 22 February 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the medical device giving shots with pressure instead of a needle; testing your eyes for glasses with an app on your phone; the airbag backpack saving people during avalanches; and, a glimpse at one family’s life during the 1930s.

Aired 29 February 2020 • 30 min

Mo Rocca shows us microphones listening for deforestation; the bot that disinfects the sheets on your bed; the braille watch letting the blind tell time; and, how eggs became a common food throughout America.

Aired 7 March 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the doorbell just for your dog; the toddler carrier that lets kids stand up for the ride; the app that counts your calories by taking a picture of your food; and, when music became mobile.

Aired 28 March 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the inventor of a bike that’s changing the world for those with limited mobility; the emergency airplane slides for buildings and schools; glasses to prevent motion sickness; and, when the sewing machine replaced the needle and thread.

Aired 4 April 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the tech perfecting downhill skiing skills without snow; the engineering transforming theater seats; starting a fire with the pull of a string; and, how pictures were taken before film.

Aired 11 April 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the greening of mouth care with plastic-free tablet toothpaste; the smartphone harness preventing the drop; the cane for the blind that gives directions; and, the potato that started trillions of french fries.

Aired 18 April 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the kitchen garden growing dinner; the robot keeping property safe; the screen filter that protects your eyes from dangerous blue light; and, how refrigerated railroad cars brought food to the masses.

Aired 25 April 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovator creating superstrong thread from spider DNA; technology that lets firefighters see through smoke; the breathing pillow to snuggle you to sleep; and, the beginning of superhero comic books.

Aired 3 October 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the rise of shared electric scooters; the modular backyard ice rink; portable solar power to aid in disasters; and, how precision tools accelerated innovation.

Aired 10 October 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovator replacing plastic straws with seaweed; the car alarm that texts you; the robot that writes on walls; and, how hay helps farmers keep livestock healthy.

Aired 17 October 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the robot teaching children different languages; technology to prevent bed wetting among children; how salt helped beautify pottery; and advice from our past innovators.

Aired 24 October 2020 • 30 min

Host Mo Rocca shows us the woman who started the blow-drying empire; the school bus tracker cutting out waiting at the bus stop; concrete that drinks up rainwater; and, going way, way back to the history of the station wagon.