Engineering Connections
With hands-on experiments and intrepid investigative work, Richard Hammond reveals the secrets behind modern-day superstructures.
- 2008-2011
- 3 seasons
- Documentary
With hands-on experiments and intrepid investigative work, Richard Hammond reveals the secrets behind modern-day superstructures.
Season 3 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2011
Episode 1
Burj Al Arab
50 mins
The presenter explores the design secrets of the world's tallest hotel, Burj Al Arab, which is located on a custom-built island off the shore of Dubai. He discovers how engineers tackled the challenges of building a steel structure in the desert heat and protecting the island from wave damage, and learns how a component from a camera flash helps prevent fires in the hotel's rooms.
Episode 2
Formula 1
50 mins
Richard Hammond reveals the surprising engineering connections behind the Formula 1 car. The stars of the most glamorous, and expensive sport on earth wouldn't even cross the starting line without inspiration drawn from a revolutionary 19th-century cannon, ancient sailing boats, jet engine fan blades, body armour and a technique practised by blacksmiths for thousands of years.
Episode 3
Super Tanker
Wed, Sep 9, 2026 49 mins
How Hard Can It Be - to pilot a remotely operated vehicle 12,000 foot down onto the ocean floor? This is literally an underwater voyage of discovery.
Episode 4
The Earthquake-Proof Bridge
50 mins
Richard Hammond reveals how engineers made one of the longest bridges in the world earthquake-proof. Defying disaster called for solutions inspired by fragrant Indian incense, the ring-pull in a soda can, a toboggan, a hammock, and some shiny steel chimneys.
Episode 5
Space Shuttle
50 mins
Richard Hammond reveals the engineering connections in NASA's Space Shuttle - the world's first re-usable space craft. He goes backstage at Kennedy Space Centre, in Florida, to discover how an organ pump, tram tracks, a WWII anti-sonar device, a camera iris and a cannonball all helped create the most technologically advanced machine ever engineered by man.
Episode 6
Bullet Train
50 mins
Richard Hammond reveals the surprising engineering connections in Japan's Bullet Train, the world's first high speed train. It could not run without ancient charioteers, a crowbar, a medieval clock, the electric telegraph, and a 19th century luxury racing car.