How We Got to Now
Join best-selling author Steven Johnson to discover extraordinary stories behind six remarkable ideas that made modern life possible, the unsung heroes who brought them about and the unexpected and bizarre consequences each of these innovations triggered. Explore the history and power of these great ideas: Clean, Time, Glass, Light, Cold, and Sound.
- Metascore82
- 2014-2014
- 1 season
- PBS
- Documentary
- TV-PG
Join best-selling author Steven Johnson to discover extraordinary stories behind six remarkable ideas that made modern life possible, the unsung heroes who brought them about and the unexpected and bizarre consequences each of these innovations triggered. Explore the history and power of these great ideas: Clean, Time, Glass, Light, Cold, and Sound.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2014
Episode 1
Clean
Wed, Oct 15, 2014 55 mins
Dirty water is transformed with a series of innovations - Chicago builds America's first sewer system, and Jersey City makes water safe for drinking (and bikinis). Manufacturing is transformed with the elimination of dust.
Episode 2
Time
Wed, Oct 15, 2014 55 mins
With no natural light, submarines re-invent the workday. Frustrated with hundreds of local time zones, a railroad clerk fights to standardize time. Navigation, travel, and technology advances result from unrecognized contributions to time.
Episode 3
Glass
Wed, Oct 22, 2014 55 mins
The invention of the mirror gives rise to the Renaissamce; glass lenses reveal worlds within worlds worlds; glass is essential; for communication in the deep ocean; glass lens allows millions to watch a man walk on the moon.
Episode 4
Light
Wed, Oct 29, 2014 55 mins
The pioneers of light; Edison's light bulb; a French scientist accidentally discovers a neon light.
Episode 5
Cold
Wed, Nov 5, 2014 55 mins
Ice delivery becomes big business, the father of frozen foods, Clarence Birdseye, and his vision for the future, and penguins who live in the desert.
Episode 6
Sound
Wed, Nov 12, 2014 55 mins
30,000 year old traces of a desire to record sound are located in caves, how radio influenced the civil rights movement, the weapon that laid the ground work for today's mobile phones, and the role of the ultrasound in modern medicine.
